19th December 2025
Staff in Belfast Health and Social Care have again made incredible efforts to support survivors of domestic abuse and their children this year through the Trust’s annual Christmas appeal.
The contributions will be shared amongst Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid (BLWA) and the Welcome Organisation. BLWA provide free, confidential support to women and children affected by domestic abuse, including emergency accommodation, counselling, and advocacy.
The Welcome Organisation delivers life-saving services for people experiencing homelessness, including street outreach, crisis accommodation, supported housing, and a mobile health unit operating seven days a week.
Orla Barron, Belfast Trust’s Interim Co-Director of Planning and Equality said:
“Through donations of cosy PJs, toys, toiletries and vouchers to everyday essentials, our staff’s generosity will make a real difference this Christmas to people who genuinely need it. A ballot for a luxury hamper in Human Resources raised almost £600 and Nephrology nurses in Belfast City Hospital very thoughtfully put together 60-70 individual gift bags full of make-up, toiletries, shower gels, hats socks, hair accessories. It really is incredible how this annual appeal shows the compassion that Belfast Trust staff have.
A special thank you to our Corporate Communications Team for spreading the word and inspiring participation, our Transport Team ensuring everything reached both organisations safely, our key contacts in each department for leading on collecting donations and the Planning and Equality Team for organising, collecting, and sorting donations. Your generosity and support have made a remarkable impact, and we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Kelly Andrews CEO Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid said:
“To the staff of Belfast Trust your generosity has placed joy into the hands of children who need it most. Every toy, every gift, every act of kindness is a reminder that compassion still shapes our communities. Thank you for choosing to support Women’s Aid.”
Kieran Hughes Head of Fundraising and Marketing Welcome Organisation said:
“We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone from the Belfast Trust who donated so generously to their annual Christmas appeal for The Welcome Organisation and Women’s Aid. The items donated will be distributed directly to people experiencing homelessness in Belfast over the Christmas period and beyond. The continued support of the Trust staff, who have organised the appeal for many years, is phenomenal. Your generosity has a real and positive impact on our work and in turn on the lives of the people we support.”
If you need help or advice about living with domestic abuse, support is available.
You can contact Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn: belfastwomensaid.org.uk or call The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline on 0808 802 1414. This service is confidential, available 24/7, 365 days a year, and supports both women and men.
If you are experiencing homelessness, you can also access advice and support through the Welcome Organisation: homelessbelfast.org.
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has a specialised and discrete internal Domestic Abuse support service for staff who need our help.
Front row left to right: Bernie Mulholland – BHSCT , Kelly Andrews – Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, Kieran Hughes – The Welcome Organisation
Back row left to right: Orla Barron – BHSCT, Hilary Patterson – BHSCT, Deborah Burns – BHSCT, Lianne Kelly – BHSCT , Michael McMillan – BHSCT, Maggie Ireland – BHSCT, Liz Johnston – Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid