Women’s Aid launches new healthy relationships programme for all Primary Schools in Mid & East Antrim

The Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Cllr Jackson Minford joins with Women’s Aid CEO Gillian Creevy and St Colmcille’s Primary Vice Principal, Miss Catherine Stewart to launch Women’s Aid Heading For Healthy Relationships Primary School programme funded by the EVAWG Change Fund.

A new preventative education initiative aimed at helping young people build healthy, respectful relationships has been launched at St Colmcille Primary School in Ballymena.

The Heading For Healthy Relationships programme, delivered by Women’s Aid ABCLN, will be offered to every primary school across Mid and East Antrim, equipping Year-7 pupils with essential knowledge and skills.

The programme is funded through Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund. It focuses on helping children understand the dynamics of healthy relationships, challenging harmful attitudes and empowering them to make safe, informed choices as they approach their teenage years.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, welcomed the launch, saying:

“I am delighted to support this work that is available to all primary schools across our Borough. It is great to see Women’s Aid leading the way on this issue and working with us, in trying to change societal attitudes to violence against women and girls.

“It is so important that we collaborate to deliver this work and in particular create the opportunities to positively influence the lives of our young people”.

Women’s Aid ABCLN CEO Gillian Creevy emphasised the organisation’s commitment to reaching every school in the area. She said:

“We are committed to deliver our transformative Heading for Healthy Relationships programme to Year-7 pupils in all primary schools across Mid and East Antrim. Will your school join us?”

She added:

“The Heading for Healthy Relationships programme is available this Autumn for all primary schools, and sessions can be booked today at no cost.”

Preventative Education Led by Specialists

The sessions are facilitated by Women’s Aid ABCLN’s Domestic Abuse Specialists and fully aligned to the curriculum. The content has been developed in collaboration with young people themselves, reflecting their real-world experiences and the challenges they encounter.

Women’s Aid ABCLN plays a vital role in supporting local families and last year provided support to 335 children and young people experiencing domestic abuse across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey.

St Colmcille’s Primary School Principal, Henry Walls, said his school was proud to participate in the initiative.

“Our school has registered to take part in the Heading For Healthy Relationships programme, as we want all young people in our care to know any type of violence, abuse or harm in relationships is never acceptable.”

How Schools Can Register

Primary schools interested in taking part can contact Women’s Aid ABCLN to book a session.

Call 028 25 632136, email events@womensaidabcln.org, or visit www.womens-aid.org.uk/children/support-in-schools for more information.