Inspire’s Woodvale Centre reopens after extensive renovation to support mental health in Ballymena

Take a step inside: Inspire’s Woodvale Community Wellbeing Services base in Ballymena

Inspire’s Woodvale community wellbeing service on Ballymoney Road in Ballymena has officially reopened following extensive renovations, marking a new chapter for the charity’s mental health services in North Antrim.

The refurbishment, funded through a broad fundraising campaign, included a year-long closure to revamp the facility, which has been supporting the community for over 50 years.

The newly refurbished centre now serves as a multi-purpose hub, designed to be accessible to everyone in Ballymena and beyond.

The reopening was celebrated with an open day attended by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mayor Jackson Minford, Inspire staff and members, and key local stakeholders.

Visitors and friends enjoy a cup of tea and a tour of Inspire’s Woodvale Community Wellbeing Services newly renovated base in Ballymena

Visitors toured the facility and learned more about the service’s plans to provide sustainable, future-focused support for the community.

(L-R): Kerry Anthony MBE, CEO of Inspire; Lesley-Ann Beckett, Woodvale community wellbeing service manager; Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Mayor Jackson Minford praised the work carried out at the centre:

“It has been a privilege to join Inspire to celebrate the opening of this important community service at Woodvale and the work it has been delivering for over five decades.

“The significance of the work delivered at this site, the dedication of the staff, the impact they have had on so many lives and, indeed, the challenges faced by those who avail of this lifeline, cannot be underestimated.

“Every moment of compassion, every listening ear and every ounce of patience plants a seed of hope in those attending Inspire, and in their families and friends too. Healing is not linear and recovery is not a destination. It’s a journey of courage, one step at a time. Inspire helps guide and support people every step of the way.”

Inside Inspire’s Woodvale Community Wellbeing Services base in Ballymena

Lesley-Ann Beckett, Woodvale manager, highlighted the centre’s renewed vision:

“Our open day offered us the chance to recognise the excellent work that Woodvale community wellbeing service has done for the last 50 years and celebrate this new beginning.

“The centre has long provided a safe, therapeutic environment for adults living with mental health and addictions issues. Our group work sessions help them to develop the tools that they need to manage symptoms, cultivate new skills and make connections.

“It is essential that the service continues to grow. We want to foster community links, ensuring that a holistic approach is a core element of this new hub.

“I look forward to working with existing and new stakeholders in the coming months, in order to place Woodvale at the heart of local life for many years to come.”

Visitors and friends enjoy a cup of tea and a tour of Inspire’s Woodvale Community Wellbeing Services newly renovated base in Ballymena

Alex Bunting, Inspire’s Group Director of Mental Health Services, underlined the significance of the refurbishment:

“I’m proud to mark the opening of the newly refurbished Woodvale. This centre has a long and valued history of supporting individuals affected by mental health challenges and its renewal reflects our deep commitment to the community we serve.

“The updated space is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a symbol of hope, resilience and progress. We look forward to continuing our mission of ‘Wellbeing for All’ by delivering compassionate, person-centred care and vital support to those who need it most, now and in the years ahead.”

Woodvale member Michelle shared her personal experience:

“For me, Woodvale is a place where I feel invited, supported and encouraged. It is also a place that I can feel safe, secure and myself. On the low, hard and lonely days you can rest assured that there will be someone there to chat with you, sit with you in silence and encourage you to keep going. I never actually felt supported, listened to or understood until I came to this service.”

Inside Inspire’s Woodvale Community Wellbeing Services base in Ballymena

Inspire, a charity and social enterprise operating across the island of Ireland, works to promote wellbeing for all.

The organisation supports people living with mental ill health, intellectual disability, autism, and addictions, campaigning for a community free from stigma and discrimination.

Further information is available at www.inspirewellbeing.org.