Belfast Lord Mayor Launches KidSpace – 12th February 2015
KidsSpace Puts Some Colour into the Heart of the City
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Nichola Mallon, has joined Belfast Healthy Cities and some of Belfast’s younger citizens to launch the latest KidsSpace events which will take place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February at both Victoria Square and CastleCourt, and again on Saturday 21 March at CastleCourt.
The events will transform areas of the centres into colourful, fun filled, family friendly places guaranteed to capture the imagination of children and parents alike. Those taking part will have the opportunity to release their inner artist with a range of creative activities; try out making their own healthy drinks on our smoothie bikes, or just use the free space to make their own fun. As a special treat KidsSpace in February will also host a performance of a magical puppet show featuring Peppa Pig and characters from the movie ‘Frozen’.
KidsSpace is an initiative that has demonstrated the positive effects of making the city centre more open to children and their families over the past four years. It is part of wider work led by Belfast Healthy Cities, under the auspices of the World Health Organization, and involving interagency collaboration to develop a Child Friendly Strategy for Belfast.
Speaking at the launch, the Lord Mayor welcomed the events and encouraged everyone to get involved:
“It is great to see our city centre participating in and promoting family fun,” she said. “This is a great initiative and I would urge the young and young at heart to get creative. Congratulations to all involved in organising these activities.”
Belfast Healthy Cities, Chief Executive, Joan Devlin added:
“Creating child friendly space makes Belfast city centre more welcoming to families, encouraging a sense of civic pride, while also benefiting the economy and supporting regeneration. We saw how successful last year’s event at CastleCourt was and Belfast Healthy Cities is delighted to be heading back there as well as adding Victoria Square to the list of venues in the city centre that have hosted KidsSpace.”
Victoria Square Centre Manager Michelle Greeves said:
“We are extremely pleased to be hosting two days of activity with KidsSpace at Victoria Square. The bespoke workshops are certain to be popular amongst our family customers and we look forward to welcoming new visitors.”
Centre Director at CastleCourt shopping centre, Paul McMahon added
“CastleCourt has long been committed to community initiatives and is delighted to be able to offer space to host the latest KidsSpace event. We look forward to welcoming families to CastleCourt and hope everyone has a great time.”
KidsSpace is free and suitable for children of all ages and abilities. However they must be accompanied by an adult. Further information is available from www.belfasthealthycities.com or @belfasthealthy
The events are part of the Family Friendly activities during February and March supported by Public Health Agency and Belfast Strategic Partnership.
Notes
Times and locations for KidsSpace
Friday 20 February
11.00 am- 3.00pm Victoria Square: Lower Ground, House of Fraser Entrance
11.00 am- 3.00pm CastleCourt: Middle Upper Mall
Saturday 21 February
11.00 am- 3.00pm Victoria Square: 1st Floor Outside O’Brien’s
11.00 am- 3.00pm CastleCourt: Middle Upper Mall
Saturday 21 March
11.00 am- 3.00pm CastleCourt: Middle Upper Mall
Puppet show will take place in Victoria Square and CastleCourt on both days in February. Times to be confirmed, see www.belfasthealthycities.com or follow @belfasthealthy for further information.
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