Via Wings Presents Strictly Come Dancing

We would like to say a huge thank you to you for taking the time to support our Strictly Come Dancing Fundraising Event which will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in The Crowne Plaza, Belfast. This is sure to be an amazing night! Because of you we hope to raise vital funds to renovate part of our building to create a Children’s Wellbeing Centre for the community of Dromore and surrounding area.

After nearly two full years of a pandemic, the newest research indicates it has taken a heavy toll on children’s mental health. We are now seeing the real effects this has had on children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland.

- Children and young people in Northern are 25% more likely to have anxiety and depression than their counterparts in other areas of the UK. - BBC

- Research carried out in Northern Ireland reports that 41% of primary school children feel their emotional health worsened during the pandemic. - NICCY

- A report by Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People shows significant concerns about the suitability of GPs and emergency departments to respond to children with metal health concerns.

- The above report also found that the number of children in Northern Ireland waiting more than 9 weeks for certain mental health referrals has increased from 167 to 451 between March and November 2021 and this hasn’t changed.

We would like to create a safe place to help those children struggling with issues relating to their wellbeing. We currently have an afterschool’s programme running for those children referred to us from local schools who need some extra support. We have secured funding for two in-house play therapists who work one to one with those children struggling with communication and emotional regulations. Play therapy helps children process their thoughts and emotions through play. It offers an enjoyable and child-friendly approach to exploring challenging events and topics.

We have seen first-hand the amazing benefits the children who have been working with our dedicated play therapists and Mini Wings team leaders, have displayed. We would love to create our Childrens' Wellbeing Centre so we can grow our children’s support and provide a safe environment to connect, share and teach tools to manage wellbeing.

This event will be in memory of Andrew McElroy. Every now and again in life you come across people who are exceptional, and Andy was an exceptional man, husband, father, and volunteer.

Andy and his family have been part of our Via Wings family from the very beginning. He served his community in ways no one would ever have known. He was never happier than being in the kitchen, especially cooking for his Via Wings family.

Andy was such a kind and gentle person with the biggest heart, who would do anything to help anyone.

Andy was diagnosed with a brain tumour 5 years ago and sadly passed away last December. He was a father of three.

He would be so proud to have this Childrens’ Wellbeing Centre opened to help children fulfil their full potential.