More than 200 join powerful 4am Dawn Walk for mental health in Ballymoney

Participants who gathered at 4am on Saturday morning in Ballymoney for the town’s second annual Dawn Walk

More than 200 people stepped out onto the streets of Ballymoney before sunrise on Saturday morning, 16 May, as a growing community movement around mental health and connection returned for its second annual Dawn Walk.

Organised by BEAM – Building Empowerment & Awareness to Mind, the early morning event saw participants gather at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre at 4am before walking together through the town in a visible show of solidarity, hope and support.

The walk, which has quickly become a meaningful date in the local community calendar, aimed to remind people that they are not alone and that conversations around mental health matter.

Community comes together before sunrise

As darkness gave way to dawn, people of all ages joined the walk through Ballymoney, creating what organisers described as a powerful atmosphere of warmth, kindness and togetherness.

The event concluded at Ballymoney Town Hall, where participants were welcomed with breakfast baps provided by A Bite Above, brownies from Sweetness and Light, and live music from local singer-songwriter Matt Calderwood.

Alongside the uplifting atmosphere, the walk also included moments of reflection for those no longer with us and for families continuing to live with grief and loss.

The balance of remembrance, openness and community spirit formed a central part of the morning’s message.

Mental health message at the heart of the event

BEAM was established to promote positive mental health and strengthen community connections across Ballymoney and the surrounding area.

The organising group includes Hannah Graham, Katherine Murphy, Zara Hutchinson, Clare Doherty and Lee Kane.

Reflecting on the success of the event, the group said the turnout and support from the community had been deeply moving.

“To see so many people come together at that time of the morning was incredibly special,” they said.

“The Dawn Walk is about showing people that they are not alone. There was such warmth, kindness and support throughout the morning, and in the run-up to the walk, from right across the local area and beyond. We are so grateful to everyone who took part and supported.”

The organisers added:

“Everyone has really shown that Ballymoney is a community that cares, about each other, and about each other’s mental health and wellbeing.”

Growing support for community wellbeing initiatives

The strong turnout highlights increasing local support for community-led wellbeing initiatives and the importance many people place on creating safe, open spaces to talk about mental health.

Events such as the Dawn Walk continue to build momentum across the area, bringing people together not only in times of difficulty, but also in collective encouragement and support.

As the sun rose over Ballymoney on Saturday morning, the message from hundreds walking side by side was unmistakable — community connection and compassion remain powerful tools in supporting mental wellbeing.