Taking back the city, one garden at a time 🌱 Using public land for public good is crucial to solving the housing crisis, but it can also help to revive the connection between the local community and the land, wildlife, and food systems around them 🏡 takebackthecity.ie

Incredible talent from our #KindEconomy chefs, catering an event earlier this week. Imagine how much skill and talent we are missing out on in Belfast while people in the asylum system are banned for working 💛 Have you tried the Kind Economy cooking? 👀

#TakeBacktheCity were up on the Mackie’s site yesterday with residents and local primary school kids, litter picking, seed bombing, and hanging bird feeders! 🌱 There’s huge appetite for this land to be used for the good of the local community - let’s get it done! 🏠 takebackthecity.ie

The public housing register was taken offline for at least six weeks in this summer, in case they could be used to identify migrant households. Last year, foreign health workers were offered personal safety alarms, security escorts, and police “reassurance patrols”. thedetail.tv/articles/sto...

Our #NewScript activists have been taking part in Mindful Photography Workshops with the amazing Lynne Connolly at Glór na Móna over the last few weeks 📸 Providing community-based, creative options for healing and connection is key in tackling the mental health crisis 💙 #Give5

🚨Where is the NI Anti-Poverty Strategy?!🚨 In 2025, over 20,000 children are living in homeless households, and 130,000 children are living in food insecure household. So why is the NI Anti-Poverty Strategy still missing? Read our latest blog here👇 www.nlb.ie/blog/247/ni-...

Unfortunately, ‘From Grenfell to Belfast: Race, Poverty, and the Politics of Housing’ is now SOLD OUT! Excited to see everyone tomorrow evening! 🏠 There are still spaces available for the screening of South African doc ‘Mother City’ on Saturday! 🎬👇 themaclive.com/event/mother...

#KindEconomy chefs were out today, catering Social Change Initiative’s event ‘Tackling Hate & Violent Extremism - What Works?’🍴 Thanks to SCI for the opportunity to showcase the skill & talent in the asylum system, and the importance of people with lived experience working together to make change ✊

‘Families and supporters sent a united message to Minister for Health Mike Nesbitt MLA: “No more ticking boxes. No more preventable harm and death. We demand a New Script for Mental Health.”’ Many thanks to Lenadoon Community News for covering the ‘Ticking Boxes’ launch!👇

In late 2022, #KindEconomy activists looked into human rights issues in asylum hotels. Some of the issues they found in terms of access to education are still very much alive today, including access to ESOL. Read the third in that blog series here 👇 www.nlb.ie/blog/66/2022...

🚨Last chance to visit The State of Belfast!🚨 There is just one week left to visit ‘The State of Belfast’ in @themacbelfast.bsky.social 🏠 There are two exciting events this week to close the exhibition, don’t miss them! 👇 themaclive.com/event/from-g... themaclive.com/event/mother...

“We have frameworks, laws and policies, all designed to protect our rights. But they’re all just ticking boxes, ticking boxes all the time.” The emotional live performance of ‘Ticking Boxes’ with Damien Dempsey & the Féile Women’s Singers sends a clear message to power ✊

No more ticking boxes. No more preventable harm and deaths. The human rights-based Give 5 Framework has all party support. Time for Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA and the Department of Health to implement it ⏰ www.nlb.ie/take-action/... youtu.be/WTbxQO6oUbs?...

When the expertise of human rights activists combines w/ legal knowledge to make life better in Northern Ireland, the feeling is electric! ⚡️Join us to celebrate these #PublicInterest defenders.⚡️ Thurs 16 Oct - 17.30 - @BelfastExposed RSVP: pilsni.org/events/pils-autumn-social-2025/

👏Congratulations to some of our #KindEconomy activists, who completed their four-week course at the Tool Library, learning DIY skills!👏 Huge thanks to Jane & Craig for their kindness & expertise 💛 Do you have skills to share? Join the Kind Economy 👇 www.nlb.ie/take-action/...

“Grenfell provided a brutal lesson in how housing can expose the realities of class and racial discrimination […] those same injustices are sharply felt in their own way here.” ‘The State of Belfast’ in @thecanaryuk.bsky.social yesterday 👇 www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025...

🏠 Housing win! 🏠 Group member Paula was in some of the worst housing conditions with her son for years. Ignored by the Housing Executive, after keeping up the fight we managed to get Paula & her son safe and suitable accommodation! When we work together, we win ✊

On #WSPD25, NEW data shows the health inequality gap is widening: 
⚠️ Antidepressant prescribing rising
⚠️ Suicide rates in poorer areas 3x higher Urgent action is needed from the Department of Health & the Executive to address the root causes. Read more here  👉 www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/defaul...

“I am a firm believer that what makes a difference to our mental health is community” - Marie Quiery, psychotherapist. Another morning of slowing down, connecting with each other & with nature, and sowing the seeds for a #NewScript for Mental Health 💙

Could you afford to pay for healthy snacks, transport costs, school supplies, and feminine hygiene products on just £8 a week? The second part in a blog series from late 2022 looks at the issue of poverty in asylum hotel accommodation. Read it here 👉 www.nlb.ie/blog/68/2022...

On Friday evening, #TakeBacktheCity launched the second phase of the Mackie’s Masterplan at @themacbelfast.bsky.social! 🏠 With architect Matthew Lloyd, we explored our brand new plans for a section of the site owned by DfC, where we think is the perfect place to start building homes!!

“My New Script has always been to call for more funding for the arts. The opportunities to heal are there.” Cllr Siobhan McCallin reflects on her own experience of the #NewScript campaign, during the ‘Ticking Boxes’ launch 💙 Watch ‘Ticking Boxes’ here 👉 youtu.be/WTbxQO6oUbs?...

#TakeBacktheCity are at The MAC tonight launching the next phase of the Mackie’s Masterplan! Last year the community agreed with us that Mackie’s must be developed, this year we’re showing those in power exactly where to start. Find out more 👉 www.takebackthecity.ie/news/34/take...

#TakeBacktheCity were back in West Belfast supporting Caitríona and her family in their eviction resistance yesterday ✊ We held our housing drop-in there, in solidarity with Caitríona, who attended our drop-in way back in early 2024, with the same eviction case she is still fighting today! 🏠

The #NewScript campaign is so grateful to our friend Dainius Pūras, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, for his support of the new ‘Ticking Boxes’ music video! 💙 Watch it here 👉 youtu.be/WTbxQO6oUbs?...

‘We’re going to stand loud and proud today and say, “no more ticking boxes!”’ This short video captures so much of the passion and energy in the room at the launch of the ‘Ticking Boxes’ music video a month ago @themacbelfast.bsky.social 💙 Were you there on the day?

The ECHR is deeply embedded within the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. This commitment does not allow the UK Government to formulate some version of what it regards as ECHR-equivalent protections. Read our joint statement 👇 @ppr-org.bsky.social & Human Rights Consortium NI

How can a piece of vacant land in West Belfast change the way that we tackle the housing crisis as a whole? 👀 Come along to @themacbelfast.bsky.social this Friday, to find out about the next stage of the Mackie’s Masterplan, and its new vision for housing!👇 themaclive.com/event/a-new-...

No more ticking boxes. No more preventable harm and deaths. The human rights-based Give 5 Framework has all party support. Time for @mikenesbittni @healthdpt to implement it ⏰ Take Action 👉 www.nlb.ie/take-action/... youtu.be/WTbxQO6oUbs?...

The system thrives on our exhaustion—so we reclaim rest, nurture connection, and return with strength. The world may not always be safe, but together we can create brave spaces to hold each other while we fight for justice. Deep gratitude to Corrymeela for making this happen 💕

It’s been a year since 91% of people that took part in the Mackie’s consultation agreed that the site should be developed! In the 12 months since, the land has remained vacant, the numbers of homeless families has skyrocketed, but #TakeBacktheCity have been working hard in the background…

#NewScript were so grateful to have our friend and world-renowned critical psychiatrist Dr Pat Bracken to join us in @themacbelfast.bsky.social for the launch of the ‘Ticking Boxes’ music video 💙 Watch the video here 👉 youtu.be/WTbxQO6oUbs?...

People seeking asylum have so much to offer the UK. So why are these talented, resilient people BANNED from working? Make it make sense. #LiftTheBan

#TakeBacktheCity activists were out on the doors this morning around the Mackie’s site, and had some great chats with residents about our plans for the site! 🏠 We handed out wildflower seed packets… and used some ourselves to brighten up some vacant land in the city centre 👀🌱

During October & November 2022, people living in asylum contingency accommodation joined together to gather evidence of human rights failings. One key issue was access to education, read the first part of a series of blogs from 2022 to find out more 👇 www.nlb.ie/blog/69/2022...

“It’s just the empathy, and the love, and the power, and the strength of it, it’s draíocht, it’s magic”. Damien Dempsey speaking at the ‘Ticking Boxes’ launch ✨ Watch the video, featuring Damien & the Féile Women’s Choir 👉 vist.ly/44fyr

🚨Just two weeks left to apply for the Coordinator role at the Anaka Collective! 🚨 If you want to support women from minority ethnic backgrounds to share skills, resist oppression, and create community, this might be the job for you! Apply here 👉 www.communityni.org/job/coordina...

“It’s actually the non-technical aspects, things like respect, meaning, relationships, that are the really important things.” We were honoured to have Dr Pat Bracken in Belfast to help us launch the ‘Ticking Boxes’ music video 💙 Watch the video here 👉 youtu.be/WTbxQO6oUbs?...

The housing crisis in NI is worsening, with over 32,000 households now facing homelessness, up 136% in the last decade. Without urgent funding for social housing, more families will be left behind. Full statement from Homeless Connect: bit.ly/41iUnm9

We’re only building 1280 homes a year, while 49,000 families sit on the waiting list. #TakeBacktheCity activists have created a plan for more than 500 homes on one site alone 🏠 Join us to find out more 👉 themaclive.com/event/a-new-... www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politic...

Have you had a chance to visit ‘The State of Belfast’ yet? Running in @themacbelfast.bsky.social until the 21st September, the exhibition, in partnership with PPR, looks at issues of housing injustice, inequality, and broken systems.

"When my son was alive, I was calling out for help, and they weren’t listening. The Trust completely lacked the ability to safeguard his life”. Mary Gould spoke to @belfastlive.co.uk about her son Conall, the #NewScript campaign, and the message behind ‘Ticking Boxes’ 👇

“At a time of rising racist violence and intimidation of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in public spaces, this trip was a powerful reclamation of place and belonging.” Read all about what we got up to during our #KindEconomy camping trip 👇 www.nlb.ie/blog/245/the...

Informed consent is everyone’s human right. The JME @bmj.com publish largest ever survey. Results show medical pros exaggerated & risks downplayed for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Patients & families have a right to the truth & a right to be heard. Read here👇 bit.ly/4mQ9f3H

🏠 Almost a year has passed since #TakeBacktheCity took our Masterplan for Mackie’s out to public consultation, with overwhelming support from the public who attended. ✅ 91% of people who took part agreed that Mackie’s should be developed! But we haven’t stopped there…

Thanks to Jane at Belfast Tool Library for taking #NewScript activists through the first of 3 mindful woodwork sessions! Great conversations had about the root causes of poor mental health and the importance of #choice in how we manage our own mental health. #Give5

Almost a year ago, 91% of those who responded to the community consultation on the #TakeBacktheCity masterplan for the Mackie’s site said it should be developed. Join us at @themacbelfast.bsky.social to learn about the next stages of the plans for the site 👀🏠 themaclive.com/event/a-new-...

We were thrilled to welcome singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey to @themacbelfast.bsky.social earlier this month for the launch of the ‘Ticking Boxes’ music video, which features Damien’s vocals 🎶 Damien shared his own #NewScript with us 💙 Watch ‘Ticking Boxes’ here 👉 youtu.be/WTbxQO6oUbs?...

Anaka Collective are looking for a new coordinator! 📢 Do you want to be part of creating a safe and mutually supportive space where women can come together to share skills and resist oppressive immigration systems? Find out more and apply here 👇

#TakeBacktheCity activists were out on the streets around the Mackie’s site this morning, sharing info about the next stage of the masterplan 🏠 Followed by catching some rays in the garden at Forthspring ☀️🌱