East Belfast Sure Start

15/06/2026

Sure Start Message of the Month
Your love and patience make change easier for me
When your response is kind and calm, I feel secure and brave enough to cope with change.

12/06/2026

*FREE RELAXATION RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS*
Over the past few years in East Belfast Sure Start we have been working closely with Tessa Ann, a Therapeutic Sound Practitioner, and she has very kindly shared some links below to sounds that families can listen to. We hope in these unsettling times that these sounds might help offer a little bit of calm to your homes and support the wellbeing of you and your little ones.
The information and sounds have been created by Tessa Ann, founder of TESSA UN Ltd – Sound, sensory and space awareness experiences.

Some tips for listening:
Listen at a time and in an environment that feels right for you. The sounds can be played through speakers or headphones, depending on your preference and sensory comfort. There is no need to actively “do” anything while listening. You may choose to focus on your breathing, close your eyes or simply allow the sounds to sit gently in the background as a calming sensory companion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEgYfmkKx_k

This calming sound journey features Koshi chimes tuned to Earth, Water, Air and Fire, accompanied by the gentle sounds of the Rain Column. The spacious nature of the sounds, and the pauses between them offer an opportunity to slow down, soften attention and simply rest. This resource may be useful for moments of quiet regulation, transitions between activities, calming before rest or sleep, an individual listening with headphones and creating a quieter sensory environment.

https://thesoundhealingspa.co.uk/products/sleepy-sounds-with-echo-ta-ta-friends

Listen to the calming sounds of Echo Ta Ta and friends as part of your child’s bedtime wind-down. This gentle 8-minute sound journey offers a sensory friendly listening experiences designed to help little listeners transition from busy bedtime energy into a calmer, quieter moment before sleep. Featuring the soft resonant tones of Tibby the Tibetan singing bowl, alongside the gentle rhythmic sounds of Rainy the rainstick and Shaky the shaker, Sleepy Sounds invites calm listening, curiosity and relaxation.
Perfect for that quiet bedtime moment before drifting off to sleep. There is no right or wrong way to use Sleepy Sounds. Some families may choose to listen together, while others may play the audio softly as their little one settles towards sleep. A little Magical Sounds gift for you and your family. Thank you Tessa!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBPbjqchfdk

This 20-minute calming sound resource combines nature sounds, singing bowls, gongs, rainstick and chimes to create a gentle sensory listening experience. It is designed to support moments of quiet pause, calm and sensory reset. It might be helpful for transitions between activities, quiet individual listening, calming after busy or stimulating times, rest and decompression or moments of sensory pause at home.

12/06/2026

In the middle of everything that has been happening in our community in East Belfast, this week has been Infant Mental Health Week. In East Belfast Sure Start we have been busy supporting Stronger from the Start's campaign to create and support opportunities for connection and care for our babies and infants in our community. Through our baby groups, our Breastfeeding Group, Breaststart, through our family support team on the ground and by being part of the leadership of Stronger from the Start, an alliance of organisations that suppor the parent and child relationship. This week we hosted a conference bringing professionals around the table to encourage us to keep spreading the message that the first 1001 days matter! Of course we do this every week of the year because our team believe that connection and care leads to strong healthy developing brains and brighter futures for our children. In a dark week this really is our hope and we are privileged to be able to support all babies in our community to be Stronger from the Start

11/06/2026

This week is Infant MentalHealth week with this years theme of attunement. We are so delighted that out little book and resource is becoming a useful tool for other organizations to promote parent and infant connection and therefore support brain development and emotional well being.

Next week we will find out if this wee book and resource have won the UK Advancing Healthcare Award for partnership working.

Thanks to the Public Health Agency for this lovely article.

The early relationships babies experience are vital in shaping their mental health, development and future wellbeing 💛

During Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (until 14 June), the PHA is highlighting the importance of those first connections.

One way families across Northern Ireland are being supported is through the Connect with Me programme – supporting families to build emotional security, resilience and healthy development during the first 1,001 days of life.

Visit the link in the comments to find out more.

East Belfast Sure Start

08/06/2026

Sure Start Message of the Month
Your love and patience make change easier for me
Prepare me for change by talking about what’s to come and reassuring me.

04/06/2026

Sure Start Message of the Month
Your love and patience make change easier for me
Changes are a normal part of life but they are often stressful for me, so please be patient and give me time to adjust.

03/06/2026

It's Child Safety Week!

Child Accident Prevention Trust are here to help children lead active, healthy lives, safe from serious injury.

30/05/2026

Pamela and Lisa are at Explore East in Lewis Square. Lots going on! Pop by and say hello. 1-4pm 💕

29/05/2026

Free Fun event @ Lewis Square tomorrow. Details below...

🌍 EXPLORE EAST – Community Information Day & Optional Bus Tour 🚌
Want to find out more about services and support in your local area?
Come along to Explore East, a friendly community event bringing together organisations and services supporting people across East Belfast.
This event has been organised by East Belfast Community Development Agency’s Local Community Empowerment Programme (CEP). NICVA and EBCDA, along with a network of community partners from across Belfast, is delivering the Community Empowerment Programme (CEP), which is part of . This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the EU Programmes Body – SEUPB.

📍 CS Lewis Square 🗓 Saturday 30th May ⏰ 1–4pm 🎉 FREE
This is a great opportunity to:
✅ Meet local groups and service providers
✅ Learn what support is available near you
✅ Connect with your community
✨ Plus enjoy:
🎶 Music 🍔 Food 🎈 Family‑friendly fun🚌 Optional Explore East Bus Tour - highlighting a number of community organisations, the work they do and where they are located
For anyone living, working, or volunteering in East Belfast.
To book a place on the bus tour, email 📧 [email protected]
To register for the event email 📧[email protected]
👉 Pop along, discover what’s available on your doorstep, and make the most of local services.


Elevate East Bloomfield Community Association EastSide Partnership Our Social Space East Belfast Mission Greenway Women's Centre