Abbey Centre in Newtownabbey is proud to announce a new partnership with Women’s Aid ABCLN to deliver vital initiatives throughout 2025, including the transformative Heading for Healthy Relationships schools’ programme.
This initiative will visit 26 post-primary schools across the Borough and beyond, reaching over 3,500 Year-11 pupils. Through engaging workshops, students will explore the key components of healthy relationships and be empowered to expect respect in their current and future partnerships. To further support participants, each student will receive a free Costa, Abbey Centre voucher, while Costa, Abbey Centre will also signpost in-store to support services.
Gillian Creevy, CEO of Women’s Aid ABCLN, highlights the importance of preventative education in fostering healthy relationships:
“Our ambition is for all young people to have safe, fulfilling, and healthy relationships. To achieve this, we are committed to deliver transformative Heading for Healthy Relationships workshops to Year-11 pupils in ALL post-primary schools in our area. Will your school join us?”
“Our Heading for Healthy Relationships schools programme explores the dynamics of healthy relationships, and will strengthen young people’s understanding of issues including domestic abuse and consent. Sponsorship by Abbey Centre will enable us to equip over 3,500 young people with the knowledge and skills to have healthy, respectful relationships.”
“The programme, facilitated by Women’s Aid ABCLN Domestic Abuse Specialists, will challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, enabling young people to recognise when a relationship has the potential to become abusive, and empowering them to make informed choices and be safe.”
“Heading for Healthy Relationships addresses the need for preventative education in schools, aligned to the curriculum and has been developed with young people based on their experiences of the issues faced.”
“With 25 women killed in Northern Ireland since 2020 and PSNI responding to one domestic abuse incident every 16 minutes, this programme is vital to help young people understand abusive behaviours and build healthier futures. We thank Abbey Centre for their commitment and support.”
Gillian says “The programme will equip schools to lead the way and create change to End Violence Against Women and Girls, ensuring all young people know any type of violence, abuse or harm in their relationships is never acceptable.”
Mark Stewart, Centre Manager at Abbey Centre, explains their commitment to this cause:
“As a community hub, Abbey Centre is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all. Most of our shoppers, staff, and online audience are women, and we’ve taken significant steps to support them, including adhering to the Workplace Charter on Domestic Violence and registering as a Safe Place and Safe Employer. However, the statistics show we must do more. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the ‘Heading for Healthy Relationships’ schools’ initiative and fundraise for Women’s Aid ABCLN. By raising awareness and signposting support services throughout the centre, we aim to contribute to ending violence against women and girls.”
Abbey Centre shoppers are encouraged to join the effort by spinning a coin in the dedicated Women’s Aid ABCLN Money Spinner, located at Next. Additional fundraising and awareness initiatives will also be rolled out throughout the year in collaboration with housed retailers.
Abbey Centre is committed to supporting Women’s Aid ABCLN in delivering meaningful change and raising awareness about the importance of healthy relationships. Together, we can create a safer, more supportive community for all.
For more information and to register your school for Heading for Healthy Relationships you can call 028 25 632136, email events@womensaidabcln.org or go to www.womens-aid.org.uk/children/headingforhealthyrelationships.
Pictured:
Gillian Creevy, CEO of Women’s Aid ABCLN with Mark Stewart, Centre Manager at Abbey Centre
