12/12/2025
🌟 Today our first Belfast Met cohort graduated. 🎓
Over three weeks, every learner benefited, growing in confidence, connection, and belief in what they could do next 💛
This programme was about creating a safe, trauma-informed learning environment where people could show up as they were, build confidence at their own pace, and feel supported to try things that once felt out of reach 🌱
One of our learners shared this reflection today. It says more about the impact of this work than we ever could:
“This has been the best thing I’ve ever done. My confidence in my ability is recognised. I still don’t have the confidence to market myself, but my friend always said, people just need to meet you and know you — and I’ve really felt that this week.
You’ve no idea how much just even being able to turn up was valued meant to me. Because it really was an achievement… after years of being at home… it really was. And for just that to be recognised, despite me not being able to be on time, or there every day, or able to stay until the end… I was able to finish this course and I know I’ve made friends for life with people who understand my difficulties.
Thank you all for getting me out of the house. For providing that safe environment that allowed me to do it 3 weeks, however erratically, in a row. You maybe do, because this is your aim, but you will NEVER know how much this has meant to me breaking my barriers and just going somewhere 5 days a week.
I didn’t make them all. I wasn’t able to stay them all. But I got up and forced myself to be there knowing it was another safe environment. And that’s the thing… you created a safe environment.
A participant didn’t want to do his presentation today but then he felt safe enough to do it… that in itself, plus I did mine… it’s brilliant. It works. I’m so in awe of you guys and thank you! Thank you!”
Gary cried when he read that one 😭
We saw learners re-engage with routine, build meaningful peer connections, and do things they previously felt unable to do…… including presenting in front of others 🧠🎤
A sincere thank you to Belfast Met for trusting Spark’s strengths-led, trauma-informed approach and for working alongside us to make this possible 🙌
We’re incredibly proud of this cohort - and excited about what comes next 💛
