Happy Women's Group

03/03/2026

Happy Women’s Group would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Stephanie from the Friendship Club for the generous donation of 25 tickets to see the classic W***y Wonka at the Opera House.

Steph, you are truly amazing! Your kindness and thoughtfulness towards our ladies and young people means so much. Opportunities like this create joy, connection, and lasting memories for the women and families we support.

We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for always thinking of us.

With sincere appreciation,
Happy Women’s Group 💛

27/02/2026

Unfortunately, due to a number of hateful comments, we have taken the decision to remove our recent posts.

We do not engage in negativity. While we respect that people may hold different opinions, it is equally important that our platform is treated with respect. We will not tolerate hateful or racist speech.

Our commitment remains unchanged. We will continue to support asylum seekers and refugees in Northern Ireland to the best of our ability.

We recognise that such views come from a small minority and are often rooted in fear, misunderstanding, or a lack of accurate information.

Northern Ireland is a diverse society, and everyone who lives here is part of it.

We remain strong, undeterred, and deeply grateful to the many individuals and communities who continue to show kindness, solidarity, and welcome.

27/02/2026

Thank you so much for having us and listening to all the concerns around Happy Women's Group Paula, we are humbled by your humility aswell. Thank you 🙏🤍

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩

This morning I was delighted to meet with the Happy Women’s Group at my constituency office.

Happy Women’s Group is a Belfast-based organisation led by women from ethnic minority backgrounds.

They support women navigating the asylum, refugee, and migration journey by providing advocacy, health and wellbeing services, and culturally sensitive support, especially for those facing isolation, violence, trauma, and mental health challenges. Their work empowers women towards independence, resilience, and integration while building safe, supportive communities.

25/02/2026

23/02/2026

🌸 Happy Women’s Group — A Day of Growth and Empowerment 🌸

We had the most wonderful day with all the ladies from Happy Women’s Group! It was a truly informative and inspiring session focused on personal development, accessing support, and turning our interests and ideas into something tangible and profitable.

A heartfelt thank you to Tony Kelly from GEMSNI for his amazing support and mentoring, Tony Kearns and Bronagh from the City Council, and Niamh Kelly from Bank Ideas. Your contributions and words of encouragement have greatly inspired our ladies to flourish and bloom — all while staying within their comfort zone and focusing strongly on wellbeing.

We couldn’t be more grateful for your time and support. 🌷
We look forward to our next session and invite you all to continue this journey of growth and empowerment with us.

📚 Consultation Meeting with Forward South Partnership

We were also delighted to attend a consultation meeting at Forward South Partnership with Aine Groogan and Emily Keenan from the Department of Education. The discussion was engaging and impactful, as we had the opportunity to voice important concerns affecting Ethnic Minority communities within the education system — particularly around culture, diversity, and awareness in the sector.

Special recognition to Aine Groogan and Edna Ali for highlighting these vital points.
The Happy Women’s Group also raised the pressing issue of FGM Awareness across education and community sectors.

We were encouraged to hear that the Department acknowledged the need for further work to ensure diversity and inclusion are meaningfully reflected within education.

> Thought for the day: Is attendance more important than education, or is it the other way around? 🤔

Well done to Forward South Partnership for organizing such a valuable and inclusive session! 👏

Belfast City Council Culture Belfast #

20/02/2026

On behalf of Happy Women’s Group, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Forward South Partnership, and in particular Chloe and the Belfast City Council , for generously funding Happy Women’s Group to host a safe and inclusive Iftar for both men and women within the Lower Ormeau community.

We are equally grateful to Pop-ups at Mornington for opening their doors and providing a welcoming space to hold this meaningful gathering.

Our Leader, Edna Ali, will be hosting the event and is truly over the moon to see this initiative come to life. She is deeply thankful to our partners and funders for their support and is passionate about creating safe, dignified spaces that support asylum seekers and foster community connection.

This event marks a special milestone — the first Iftar delivered in partnership between Happy Women’s Group, Mornington Community Centre, and Forward South Partnership — and reflects the power of collaboration.

Happy Women’s Group continues to thrive through partnership, inclusion, and community solidarity.

For further information, please feel free to contact Edna Ali.

18/02/2026

Mediation Training

📆 Thursdays 12, 19, 26 March
⏰ 10am - 1.30pm (followed by lunch)
📍Ballynafeigh Community Development Association, 283 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GG

👥 For participants with lived experience from migrant and minority ethnic communities

Register ➡️ https://forms.gle/TASoEGz13AeoAT1c9

This programme will develop participants’ understanding of
mediation, and the skills involved in being a mediator. It will cover conflict dynamics and resolution techniques.

The course is delivered by the Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training and Education for the Peace Builders project in Migrant Centre NI.

This is not an accredited qualification, but an introductory course to develop the skills for participants to use in work, social and community settings. Certificates of completion will be presented.

17/02/2026

Ramadan Kareem to all our members during Ramadan 🙏🤍✨️

We wish all our Muslim friends and colleagues a safe and blessed Ramadan.

17/02/2026

Happy Women's Group would like to wish our members Saka, Jessy and their families and friends. Aswell as our friends Lili-manager of Chinese Welfare Association, Somei, Sha and our best Tin together with all the Chinese Welfare Association team a Happy New year ✨️🥳🎊🪅🎉🎆

Wishing you every blessing 🤍🎆

16/02/2026

True that 🙏😔

Myth: Sexual violence doesn’t happen in ethnic minority communities.

Fact: It affects all communities. Fear and stigma stop reporting – not absence of harm.

Support is available.

16/02/2026

Thank you so much to the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland aswell as the space providers Pop-ups at Mornington as we all know Mornington is a lovely cosy and safe place to have these clinics and for wellbeing support too. Not forgetting MacElhatton Solicitors for your time to come and support the ladies.

We're so grateful. This space caters for the ladies who are still at the hotel aswell, as they prepare for their dispersal accommodations by Mears.

Thank you Taysier from Mears for supporting us to support the ladies at all times.

Happy Women's Group thrives in Partnership working. ✨️🙏💪

Go raibh maith agat

15/02/2026

We had a very busy and fulfilling week last week.

On Monday, we held our Support Clinic, thank you to MacElhatton Solicitors.

On Tuesday, we went on a Wellbeing Residential with the teen girls to Escape Ordinary Group Castle Humes for two nights. Despite the rain, we truly enjoyed our stay, and the girls had an amazing time. We held meaningful and open discussions on healthy relationships, studying, mental health, FGM, cultural expectations and differences, and racism.

Castle Humes is a beautiful place, surrounded by rivers and lakes, perfect for walks — which we made full use of. The girls also enjoyed a special Galentine’s dinner, along with music and dancing. It was a joy to see them relaxed, loud, happy, and free to be themselves without judgement.

We would like to sincerely thank our support and safeguarding leaders who gave up their personal time to be there for the girls. We are also incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland , who made this residential possible. It was a much-needed break for the girls ahead of exams and studying, and they were truly thankful for the opportunity.

Wednesday, we had L2 Food Safety training for 15 ladies and we truly hope they will be able to flourish with this great qualification by Health matters.

On Thursday, we held an FGM briefing session with Leslie from Tennent Street Police Service of Northern Ireland and Julia from the Migrant Centre NI , following a brief planning meeting at Lorag with Heather, Melanie Watson and Marie.

On Friday, Happy Women’s Group partnered with Belfast & Lisburn Women's Aid to deliver a talk on sexual violence and FGM awareness to Queen's University Belfast medical students at the Royal Hospital Victoria.

Please note that swimming sessions are postponed until after Ramadan, except for the Teen Girls’ MUGA activities and swimming lessons, which will continue.

Thank you to the coordinators and coaches of Triathlon for understanding how Happy Women's Group accommodate everyone's culture and belief ✨️🙏

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our funders, partners, and collaborators for making this week and its activities such a success.

A special thank you to Castle Humes for hosting us — we rate you ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for creating a welcoming space where the girls could truly be themselves.

So grateful for everyone who made this possible.

Wishing everyone a week full of kindness and warmth 🤍✨️