Bean Feasa Project - Access to Resilience for Women's Groups
in Ards and North Down
As part of our Bean Feasa project we promoted the benefits of Cross Border and European engagement and how groups can start exploring potential partnerships which would extend mentoring and training into an international setting.
We had a great evening in Bangor Castle, hosted by the Mayor of Ards and North Down Cllr Craig Blaney, and demonstrations from Comber Highland Dancers and the Reilley School of Irish Dance.
Diary Dates for Project Networking Events – Linking Women Across Ards North Down
Burns Day Women’s Networking Lunch – Monday 23 January 26 , Ballywalter Village Hall
International Women’s Day – Friday 6 March 26 , Old Market House Bangor
St Patricks Day Networking – Friday 13th March 26, Old Market House Bangor
International Networking Event ‘Let Her In’ – connecting with potential Erasmus+ partners 8-9 June, Old Market House Bangor. Contact Laura for details.
Summer Social Networking – 19th June 2026, 7pm North Down Museum
Christmas Gather Network Event – Date & Location TBC
Training for Women in Community
Conducting a thorough Training Needs Analysis (TNA) is an essential first step in designing a bespoke training programme that truly empowers women working in community roles across Ards and North Down. By identifying the specific skills, knowledge gaps, and challenges faced by women working in community roles— whether they are community organisers, support workers, outreach coordinators, or volunteers — we can create targeted learning solutions that go far beyond generic training packages.
This training needs analysis survey, supported by our 1-1 interviews, focus groups, and observations help us understand not only technical competencies (such as project management, safeguarding, or digital engagement) but also the unique barriers many women encounter, including balancing caring responsibilities, building confidence in leadership, navigating funding applications, or addressing gender-specific issues within community settings.
The Bean Feasa project team want to develop a highly personalised training programme that boosts capability, nurtures leadership, and increases impact, ensuring that every participant receives development that is relevant, practical, and transformative for both their professional growth and the communities they serve.
Click TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS QUESTIONNAIRE for the pdf hard copy of the Training Needs Analysis form.
UPCOMING TRAINING BEAN FEASA TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
- Excel for Project Management
- Public Speaking
- Canva Desktop Design for Women Community Activists
- Level 3 Education and Training
- Level 2 Tour Guiding for Female Community Leaders
- WordPress Website Management
- Photography Workshop for Female Community Leaders
The training menu is constantly evolving, please contact the Bean Feasa team if you have specific training needs for your women’s group.
Group Spotlight
We want to shine a light on the work carried out by the Chai Chat group who support women from a Muslim backgound living in the Ards and North Down region.
Based in Newtownards, the Chai Chat group aim to fully link in with other female focused groups in the region and to break down community barriers, share expertise and collaborate with other women and women’s groups.
The Chai Chat group are our first port of call for service provision when we need Henna Tattoo specialists for our inter-community celebration events and for promotion of Asian culture and traditions at our networking events including International Women’s Day.
Coming Soon
Supporting Chai Chat women in Newtownards celebrate the end of Ramadan with an amazing night of glamour, food and friendship as we support their Eid al Fitr 2026 event.
NETWORK RESIDENTIAL
This news story is under construction, please stop by later to learn about the networking group overnight residential to build and strengthen relationships and to explore how we can better connect women across Ards and North Down.
