BEAM builds on strong start to 2026 with Dawn Walk and ongoing community engagement in Ballymoney

Hannah Graham, Zarah Hutchinson, Lee Kane, Clare Doherty and Katherine Murphy led the BEAM Dawn Walk 2025, which saw over 250 participants walk through Ballymoney as the sun was rising, promoting positive mental health messages.

A Ballymoney group focused on promoting positive mental health is continuing its 2026 programme with the return of its Dawn Walk and a series of community engagement efforts designed to strengthen connection, wellbeing and civic pride.

BEAM – Building Empowerment & Awareness to Mind – has already launched its spring activities with a community litter pick in Riverside Park, bringing volunteers together to care for one of the town’s most valued shared spaces.

Organisers say the initiative reflects a wider belief that simple acts of community involvement can have a powerful impact on mental health and local connection.

Community spirit at the heart of BEAM’s work

The litter pick saw volunteers gather in Riverside Park to help tidy and maintain the area, with equipment provided for those taking part.

Zara Hutchinson, part of the BEAM group, said the event captured the core message behind the organisation’s work.

“We believe that when we care for our community, we care for each other. Coming together to look after shared spaces like Riverside Park is a simple but powerful way of showing pride in where we live and support for one another.”

The event builds on a series of successful initiatives delivered during BEAM’s first year, including a community picnic held in the park last August.

Dawn Walk returns in May

Attention is now turning to the return of the BEAM Dawn Walk, which is set to take place in the early hours of Saturday 16 May.

The walk follows the success of its inaugural event in May 2025, when more than 250 people gathered before sunrise to walk through Ballymoney in a show of solidarity and support for positive mental health.

Participants will meet at 4am in the car park of the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre before walking together through the town.

The event will conclude with breakfast in Ballymoney Town Hall, offering an opportunity for those taking part to connect and reflect together.

The Dawn Walk is free to attend, but organisers are asking anyone planning to take part to register in advance at tinyurl.com/BEAMBallymoney26.

Hannah Graham, a member of the organising group, said the event continues to carry an important message for the community.

“Sadly, there are still too many people across our community who don’t feel valued. By coming together in the middle of the night to walk through our town, we want to say loud and clear that Ballymoney is a community that cares, about each other and about each other’s wellbeing.”

Growing movement for positive mental health

BEAM was established by local community worker Hannah Graham to explore how positive mental health messages and sources of support could be promoted across Ballymoney and the surrounding area.

The organising group includes Hannah Graham, Katherine Murphy (Building Communities Resource Centre), Zara Hutchinson (Ballymoney Community Fridge), Clare Doherty (Community Rescue Service), and Councillor Lee Kane, with support from Building Communities Resource Centre.

Members of the group also attended the Ballymoney Spring Fair earlier this month, where they spoke with members of the public about their work and upcoming events.

Organisers say the initiative remains open to anyone who wants to get involved or learn more.

“Whether people come along to help tidy the park, take part in the Dawn Walk, or simply want to find out more about what we are doing, we would love to speak to them,” Lee Kane added.

“These events are about bringing people together and showing that Ballymoney is a community cares.”

With the Dawn Walk now approaching, BEAM organisers say they hope to build on last year’s strong turnout and continue growing a movement centred on connection, visibility and support across the town.

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At a glance

• BEAM continues its 2026 programme promoting mental health and community connection

• Community litter pick at Riverside Park has already taken place

• Dawn Walk returns on Saturday 16 May, starting at 4am

• Participants will meet at Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre and finish at Ballymoney Town Hall

• Breakfast provided at the end of the walk

• Event is free but requires advance registration via tinyurl.com/BEAMBallymoney26

• More than 250 people attended the first Dawn Walk in May 2025

• BEAM promotes positive mental health messages across Ballymoney

• Group recently engaged with the public at Ballymoney Spring Fair