Extern Communities in Transition

Extern Communities in Transition Supporting residents of the Greater Shankill area

Reminder:saying “I’m just tired” and “I’ve a lot on” for 6 months straight may actually mean something.Come join us for ...
02/06/2026

Reminder:
saying “I’m just tired” and “I’ve a lot on” for 6 months straight may actually mean something.

Come join us for a relaxed afternoon for men during Men’s Health Week.

Tea and biscuits included… Yes we had to get more!

📍 Spectrum Centre, Shankill Road
📅 Tuesday 16th of June
🕐 1:30pm – 4pm

Come on sure, fill in this form and get registered - it only takes 60 seconds! https://forms.office.com/e/npyxS5bB7P

Not every man talks about stress.Usually it looks more like:“Just tired.”“Just busy.”“Just had a lot on.”Then suddenly:➡...
26/05/2026

Not every man talks about stress.
Usually it looks more like:
“Just tired.”
“Just busy.”
“Just had a lot on.”
Then suddenly:
➡️ short temper
➡️ no motivation
➡️ shutting people out
➡️ running on autopilot

That’s the kind of real-life stuff we’ll be talking about at our Men’s Health Week event.

No pressure.
No awkwardness.

Just a relaxed afternoon with conversation, a building activity, tea/coffee and other men who probably get it more than you think.

📍 Spectrum Centre, Shankill Road
📅 Tuesday 16th of June
🕐 1:30pm – 4pm

Biscuits secured for the big day… May have to buy more!

Sign-up here: https://forms.office.com/e/npyxS5bB7P

Comment your favourite biscuit below!

“I didn’t even realise I was stressed…”Until I:🚩lost my temper,🚩switched off,🚩kept myself busy,🚩drank more coffee than w...
19/05/2026

“I didn’t even realise I was stressed…”

Until I:
🚩lost my temper,
🚩switched off,
🚩kept myself busy,
🚩drank more coffee than water,
🚩started avoiding people,
🚩or replied “all good 👍” while very much not all good.

A lot of men know that pattern.

We’re usually good at carrying on, keeping busy, and convincing ourselves we’re grand… right up until the smallest thing imaginable annoys us beyond reason.

So for Men’s Health Week, we’re running a relaxed afternoon session focused on pressure, stress, and the ways it shows up in real life.

Before anyone panics:
❌ this is not group therapy
❌ nobody’s getting forced to talk
❌ there will be no trust falls

What there WILL be:
🔹 a building challenge
🔹 practical discussion
🔹 space to hear from other men who “get it”
🔹 tea, coffee and biscuits (the essentials)

It’s really just a relaxed afternoon to meet other men, enjoy the craic, and maybe come away with something useful.

📍 Spectrum Centre, Shankill Road
📅 Tuesday 16th of June
🕐 1:30pm – 4pm

Interested? Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/npyxS5bB7P

Sure what else would you be at on a Tuesday afternoon

Last night at the men’s group, we swapped the usual chat for needles, thread, and a few questionable sewing techniques… ...
15/05/2026

Last night at the men’s group, we swapped the usual chat for needles, thread, and a few questionable sewing techniques… 🧵😂

The guys took on a new challenge - learning how to sew buttons back on, use iron-on patches, and turn up trousers like pros (or at least enthusiastic beginners!).

A massive thank you to Heather for bringing the creativity, patience, and encouragement. She guided us through every stitch and somehow managed to keep us all on the right thread! 🪡👏

By the end of the night, everyone walked away with some new life skills, a few laughs, and their very own starter sewing kit to keep practising at home.

Who knew a sewing night could stitch together so much confidence, connection, and craic? 😊

The mens group has been busy the last few weeks down at Shankill Community Garden and with the guidance of Stuart have b...
24/04/2026

The mens group has been busy the last few weeks down at Shankill Community Garden and with the guidance of Stuart have been planting potatoes, onions and strawberries. 👨‍🌾🍓🥔

We've been lending a hand also and clearing weeds and debris round the polytunnel to give better access for the school groups that visit the garden during the day.

Next week we'll be down again at the garden making the most of the weather and getting the planter boxes ready to move potatoes and onions into. 🪏🌱🧅

Last night the Larne and Shankill mens groups were go-karting at Eddie Irvine's. From the speed, petrol fumes, crashes a...
06/03/2026

Last night the Larne and Shankill mens groups were go-karting at Eddie Irvine's.

From the speed, petrol fumes, crashes and pizza it was all a blur... But what is clear is it was a great night's craic for the two groups! 🚥🏁🏎️

Last night the men's group did a walk and talk session around Titanic Quarter and heard stories from a former ship build...
27/02/2026

Last night the men's group did a walk and talk session around Titanic Quarter and heard stories from a former ship builder about what life was like working in the ship yard. 🚢⚒️⚓

The rain even stayed off for us last night!

Great to be out connecting with the group and hopefully as Spring comes this weekend the weather starts to improve and we can get outdoors more ⛅☀️☔

Earlier today some of the guys from our men's group took part in a guided tour around the Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra lea...
23/01/2026

Earlier today some of the guys from our men's group took part in a guided tour around the Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra learning more about the history of life and culture Northern Ireland.

Thanks to our guide Geraldine who shared about the history of the museum, the buildings and life for the people. ⏳🏚️🪶🤯

And of course to the girls working in the cafe for the delicious tea/coffee and scones!☕🫖🍰😍

The history was great — but the scones made it unforgettable 😂👌

Christmas dinner last night brought the Shankill and Larne men's group together. A great night of craic and connection a...
12/12/2025

Christmas dinner last night brought the Shankill and Larne men's group together.

A great night of craic and connection amongst the men with plenty of delicious food eaten! 🎄🍽️

Not much else to say but Merry Christmas to all the guys who attended last night and we'll see you all again in the New Year for more of the same 😊

Last night the men's group did a workshop on coping with Christmas 🎄🎁🎅We recognise Christmas is a time of connection and...
28/11/2025

Last night the men's group did a workshop on coping with Christmas 🎄🎁🎅

We recognise Christmas is a time of connection and being together and for some people this can be a difficult period.

The discussions last night amongst the men were honest, vulnerable and real and the group were able to help provide some support and connection to each other.

No photos of the men who attended to keep their stories private so instead enjoy this message Santa had for the guys who each were given their own plan to fill in and use this Christmas.

Address

3 McKinney Road
Newtownabbey
BT364PE

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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