Choice Housing’s poetry project brings Ballymena community together

Belfast-based poet Niamh McNally (Middle) pictured with Ruth McCandless (left) and Ann Gibson (right) at the recent People Place Space Poetry Workshop in Ballymena.

In a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, Choice Housing’s People Place Space poetry project has captivated aspiring poets in Ballymena, fostering connection and self-expression through the art of words.

Led by Belfast-based poet Niamh McNally, the initiative has provided local residents with a platform to explore their sense of place, identity, and belonging through free creative writing workshops.

The project, rooted in Choice Housing’s commitment to Good Relations, has been hailed as a resounding success, with participants set to see their work published in a special collection launching in September 2025 as part of Good Relations Week.

The People Place Space initiative, supported by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy, aims to bridge divides and create shared spaces where diverse voices can thrive.

Held over April and May at the Carson Centre and the Braid in Ballymena, the workshops welcomed 15 participants, including local residents Ann Gibson and Ruth McCandless, who embraced the opportunity to try their hand at poetry.

The programme, delivered as part of Choice Housing’s Good Relations Plan, is tied to the Nursery Close shared housing development in Ballymena, which received £2.3 million in funding from the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

A Creative Space for All

The Ballymena workshops were structured across three engaging sessions, each designed to nurture creativity and storytelling:

1.  Introduction & Getting To Know You: A welcoming session to build connections among participants.

2.  Jumping Into the Space: An exploration of creative writing techniques and personal narratives.

3.  Developing and Editing: A focus on refining poems for publication.

Niamh McNally, the project’s facilitator, emphasised the inclusive and inspiring nature of the workshops.

“These creative writing workshops focus on story-telling and poetry and aims to engage diverse groups by bringing them together in a safe, creative space,” she said.

“Through each participant’s unique story, experience, nationality, language, dialect, and an exploration of place and home, we’ll have a publication that will showcase all of this diversity, in print. I look forward to welcoming new participants to People Place Space.”

The project’s appeal lies in its accessibility—workshops are free of charge, and both individuals and groups are encouraged to join. By creating a space for participants to share their stories, People Place Space fosters a sense of community while celebrating the diversity of voices in Northern Ireland.

A Commitment to Community and Connection

Cyril Moorhead, Choice Housing’s Good Relations Officer, highlighted the project’s significance in strengthening community ties.

“We’re delighted to have Niamh on board to deliver such an innovative writing project as part of our Good Relations work which is helping people unlock their sense of place and identity through poetry,” he said.

“I encourage anyone who has an interest in exploring what home means to them through writing to sign up and become part of this fantastic project. I look forward to reading the poetry in the showcase.”

The Ballymena initiative is part of a broader rollout of People Place Space across Northern Ireland, with workshops also taking place in Lisburn, Dungannon, Ballynahinch, and Derry/Londonderry.

Due to its popularity, the programme is expanding to additional locations, offering more residents the chance to engage in creative expression. Those interested in participating can contact Niamh McNally directly at peopleplacespace@outlook.com.

Building Inclusive Communities

Choice Housing, a leading provider of supported, sheltered, and general needs housing across Northern Ireland, manages over 12,000 homes and plays a pivotal role in the Housing for All programme.

Through initiatives like People Place Space and its seven shared housing schemes, including Nursery Close in Ballymena, Choice Housing is dedicated to creating inclusive, diverse communities that benefit residents and local areas alike.

The Nursery Close development, supported by significant investment, exemplifies Choice Housing’s commitment to fostering unity through shared spaces.

The associated five-year Good Relations Plan ensures that projects like People Place Space continue to strengthen community bonds and celebrate the unique stories of Northern Ireland’s residents.

Looking Ahead

As the People Place Space project prepares to unveil its poetry collection in September 2025, the initiative stands as a testament to the power of creativity in building stronger, more connected communities.

For Ballymena residents and beyond, the opportunity to explore themes of home, identity, and place through poetry is not only a chance to develop new skills but also a way to contribute to a shared vision of unity and understanding.

For those inspired to join the next wave of workshops, Niamh McNally’s invitation is clear: step into the creative space and let your story be heard. With its blend of accessibility, inclusivity, and artistic expression, People Place Space is proving to be a transformative force in Northern Ireland’s cultural landscape.