Belfast Works Connect East Belfast

05/02/2026

A full day of political meetings — and the pressure continues.

Yesterday, NICVA and members of the Economic Inactivity Coalition met with senior Ministers in Belfast and London to escalate concerns about the planned 64% cut to funding for economic inactivity programmes from April 2026.

The coalition met with John O'Dowd MLA, Minister of Finance, Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Miatta Fahnbulleh , Devolution Minister at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), to set out clearly what these cuts would mean for people, services and jobs across Northern Ireland.

Ministers acknowledged the value of the voluntary and sector and committed to raising the issue with the Treasury and highlighting the specific local impact of the current funding model.

We are grateful to all the organisations who continue to bring evidence and lived experience to these discussions, and to Robin Swann MP for facilitating engagement from Westminster.

The message from the sector remains clear: the funding is there - but the allocation is wrong. Time is running out to protect services that work.

🔗 Read our full statement here: https://tinyurl.com/yeupts5t



Department of Finance Northern Ireland Executive Miatta for Peckham

04/02/2026

Our cancelled event from last week is back. Great opportunity to meet employers , discuss the job and snap up one of these contracts. Benefits check will be on hand to make sure you know everything you need to before making a change to your circumstances.

JobStart: Meet the Employer

10 February 2026, 10.00am - 12.00pm
East Belfast Mission Skainos Centre, 239 Newtownards Road, BT4 1AF

Are you aged 16 – 65 years old, currently claiming a working age benefit and looking to enter or re-enter the workplace?

Holywood Road and Knockbreda Jobs & Benefits office are co-hosting a JobStart Event where you can meet with local employers from various sectors about their live JobStart vacancies.

Employers attending include:

- Nemstar (Sales Support Assistant / Marketing & Digital Content Co-ordinator)
- East Belfast Mission (Kitchen Assistant)
- Baxterworld Ltd (Trainee Accounts Assistant)
- Dssrt Fctry (Trainee Assistant Supervisor)
- IPAYPDQ (Junior AI Marketing Specialist)
- Eastside Partnership (Event Support Assistant)
- IWS NI (Customer & Administrative Support Executive)
- ASG (Trainee Events Assistant)
- NICSSA (Customer Services Executive / Facilities Officer / Grounds Maintenance-Caretaker / Caretaker & Maintenance Supervisor)
- Forfey Ltd (Assistant Audio Technician / Assistant Lighting Technician / Assistant Production Assistant)

Find out more about JobStart and the various employers attending this event at;
www.communities-ni.gov.uk/JobStartEvents

29/01/2026

I just signed this petition. 11,000 people rely on these services for mental health and skills support. We need funding for people, not just capital projects. Will you sign too?

27/01/2026

Unfortunately we had to cancell our job fair this morning due to weather. All jobs can be accessed through https://www.jobapplyni.com/. Stay safe out there!

26/01/2026

21/01/2026

Next Tuesday we have a job fair for job start positions. This is a great opportunity for benefits claimants to gain valuable experience, maybe get that first job or rejoin work after a long absence out.

JobStart: Meet the Employer
27 January 2026, 10am - 12pm
East Belfast Mission, Skainos Centre, 239 Newtownards Road, BT4 1AF

Are you aged 16 – 65 years old, currently claiming a working age benefit and looking to enter or re-enter the workplace?
Holywood Road and Knockbreda Jobs & Benefits offices are co-hosting a JobStart Event where you can meet with local employers from various sectors about their live JobStart vacancies.

Find out more about JobStart and the various employers attending this event at;
www.communities-ni.gov.uk/JobStartEvents

21/01/2026

Today we stood with NICVA and organisations from across the community sector after being notified of a 64% cut in the Local Growth Fund for people working to reduce economic inactivity from April 2026. These cuts will decimate the sector and cut vital support for people with disabilities, learning needs, educational needs as well as those that need support while in the workplace. The community sector is often resilient, but 64% cuts is intolerable.

19/12/2025

Congratulations to our clients completing the Renew program. This is a 6 week wellbeing program aimed at reviewing some of your own habits and building good practices going forward. If this is something you would enjoy in the new year, please get in touch.

05/12/2025

Many Thanks to Clare form Go Succeed NI to support those of our clients that are interested in starting up their own business. Many of our clients are highly talented and have great skills but due to a health condition find it difficult to work in a traditional role, so they invent their own! With on hand benefits advice we want to make sure that every client leaves better off and can maximize their income.

04/12/2025

Thanks for Gary from Nespresso visiting to discuss what it is like to work in their shop, manage sales, prepare for interview and demonstrating his passion for coffee.

24/11/2025

Our team will be out supporting the job fair in Dundonald. Call over for a chat and see what support is available.

Lisburn and Castlereagh Local Job Fair is taking place on Thursday 27 November 2025, 10.30am to 2.30pm, in Dundonald International Ice Bowl.

Find job opportunities and improve your employment prospects with practical advice and support.

BSL & ISL Signers available 10.30am to 12.30pm

Everyone Welcome

For more information: JobApplyNI.com or email uc.employeradviserholywoodroad@dfcni.gov.uk

bit.ly/lcccjobfair271125

12/11/2025

We have our popular barista course back again led by the wonderful staff at Nespresso Coffee. If you are a coffee lover this is a great opportunity to learn what it is like to work for Nespresso and taste their newest releases.