Holy Family Youth Centre

Newington Youth Club was born out of a need to cater for the requirements of the young people of the Holy Family parish. The first Newington Youth Club started at 281 Antrim Road (now premises of the CYMS) on April 5th, 1972. In these early days the club was staffed by voluntary helpers from the parish.

In July 1972, Danny Nolan was appointed full time leader in charge and the newly formed Management Committee set about procuring new premises. Plans were drawn up to site the new Youth Club behind the parochial houses in the church grounds. The building was completed in April 1975 and blessed by Dr. Philbin, Bishop of Down and Connor. So great was the demand on the club’s leadership that Danny Mullan was appointed second leader-in-charge early in 1975. In September 1979, Martin Morgan was appointed leader in charge of the Youth Club.

Over the next 20years, Newington Youth Club continued to be at the heart of parish life. It developed a proud reputation in sporting fields, especially in soccer, and in developing cross community links such as the annual Canadian trip with our neighbours in Fortwilliam Youth Club. The youth club provided a welcome place of refuge during the darker years of the Troubles and it remained open during the most trying times.

By the end of the 1990s the old premises were starting to show their age. They had provided excellent service to the youth of Holy Family and had also given a home to many other groups, not least, the Boxing Club.

Following discussions with the Education and Library Board, the Department of Education and the Making Belfast Work team, substantial funding was obtained to refurbish the building. The new premises opened in 1999 and, to mark its new beginning and close links to the parish, the club was renamed Holy Family Youth Resource Centre.

Holy Family Youth Centre, in 2006 , once again went under the builders hammer! ! ! This time it was internal with the development of a computer suite which houses 6 pc’s and PlayStations. Also the Centre’s main hall has seen the installation of a presentation system plus a fixed disco set up!

During the last 30 odd years the Centre has developed to meet the ever changing needs of the young people who use the Centre . The young people have changed, the staff have changed but we still keep providing at Holy Family Youth Centre!

Newington Youth Club was born out of a need to cater for the requirements of the young people of the Holy Family parish. The first Newington Youth Club started at 281 Antrim Road (now premises of the CYMS) on April 5th, 1972. In these early days the club was staffed by voluntary helpers from the parish.

In July 1972, Danny Nolan was appointed full time leader in charge and the newly formed Management Committee set about procuring new premises. Plans were drawn up to site the new Youth Club behind the parochial houses in the church grounds. The building was completed in April 1975 and blessed by Dr. Philbin, Bishop of Down and Connor. So great was the demand on the club’s leadership that Danny Mullan was appointed second leader-in-charge early in 1975. In September 1979, Martin Morgan was appointed leader in charge of the Youth Club.

Over the next 20years, Newington Youth Club continued to be at the heart of parish life. It developed a proud reputation in sporting fields, especially in soccer, and in developing cross community links such as the annual Canadian trip with our neighbours in Fortwilliam Youth Club. The youth club provided a welcome place of refuge during the darker years of the Troubles and it remained open during the most trying times.

By the end of the 1990s the old premises were starting to show their age. They had provided excellent service to the youth of Holy Family and had also given a home to many other groups, not least, the Boxing Club.

Following discussions with the Education and Library Board, the Department of Education and the Making Belfast Work team, substantial funding was obtained to refurbish the building. The new premises opened in 1999 and, to mark its new beginning and close links to the parish, the club was renamed Holy Family Youth Resource Centre.

Holy Family Youth Centre, in 2006 , once again went under the builders hammer! ! ! This time it was internal with the development of a computer suite which houses 6 pc’s and PlayStations. Also the Centre’s main hall has seen the installation of a presentation system plus a fixed disco set up!

During the last 30 odd years the Centre has developed to meet the ever changing needs of the young people who use the Centre . The young people have changed, the staff have changed but we still keep providing at Holy Family Youth Centre!