Kindness Postboxes
Moneynick Primary School are proud to be the first school in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough to adopt the new ‘Kindness Postbox’ community initiative.
This project will allow our school family to reinforce and consolidate our generational friendship with the staff and residents of Ard Na Grainde Residential Home, Randalstown.
The initiative which started during lockdown in Enniskillen, has been introduced by the Antrim & Newtownabbey Loneliness Network to provide a consistent approach to preventing and addressing loneliness in the Antrim and Newtownabbey areas.
Well done to the P1-5 pupils for investing their talent and creativity into the hand delivered mail. They have sent birthday cards to a resident and Easter cards to all the residents. Your understanding, empathy and friendship radiate! We hope every card, letter, picture or drawing received will spread joy and smiles!
Loneliness Awareness Week - 9-15 June 2025
In support of Loneliness Awareness Week, Antrim and Newtownabbey Loneliness Network are encouraging everyone to keep talking and keep connected.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Loneliness Network brings together the statutory, voluntary and community sectors including the Council and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
The Network is dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness, sharing best practice and learning on ways to address and prevent loneliness and championing initiatives to tackle loneliness across the Borough.
On 10 June the Network are holding a Loneliness Recognition and Champion Celebration event. Siobhan O’Neill, the Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland is the Keynote speaker speaking about the interaction between Loneliness and Mental Health. The event provides an opportunity for members to reflect on some of the key achievements throughout the past year including the launch of further Chatty Cafés and Kindness Postboxes across the Borough. Several members will be also be recognised as Loneliness Champions and presented with certificates and Loneliness Champion badges by the Mayor, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick commented, “I would like to congratulate the Antrim and Newtownabbey Loneliness Network Champions who provide invaluable support to those who are lonely and create opportunities to connect with others. I look forward to working with the Antrim and Newtownabbey Loneliness Network as we tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation within our Borough.”
To mark Loneliness Awareness Week the Network is delighted that Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will be lighting up all three of their civic buildings blue to highlight this important issue.
Loneliness Network Spring Social
On 20 March 2025, the Loneliness Network held its first ever Spring Social at Mossley Mill. It was a spectacular evening in celebration of Spring, complete with music, dancing, games, creativity and lots of laughter. The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Neil Kelly and over 70 guests of all ages and abilities from across the Borough attended the event.
A highlight of the night was the lively music played by the Action Mental Health – Antrim Men’s Shed Band. Guests made paper flowers with positive messages, competed in Bocce and enjoyed a Creative Writing workshop with James Murphy, in between dancing and dinner. The Spring Social was a successful intergenerational and inclusive event celebrating social connection in Antrim and Newtownabbey.
Loneliness Network Spring Social