ICC Belfast raises over £20,000 for Dementia NI
ICC Belfast mark significant milestone in their partnership with Dementia NI
ICC Belfast have marked a significant milestone in their partnership with Dementia NI, raising more than £20,000 for the charity while continuing to build a more inclusive and dementia-aware visitor experience across their venues.
Dementia NI is a unique, member-led charity founded in 2015 by people living with a diagnosis of dementia. Over the past year, the partnership has focused on raising awareness, enhancing staff training, and creating meaningful opportunities for public support.
As part of this commitment, team members across the venues facilitated a dementia-focused, Quarterly Team Meeting (QTM), welcoming members of Dementia NI to share first-hand experiences of living with dementia. The session provided invaluable insight into the challenges faced by those with a diagnosis, while also highlighting the work of the charity and ways in which organisations can provide meaningful support.
Building on this, a series of dedicated training sessions were delivered to further equip staff with the knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs of dementia and support visitors appropriately. Welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests each year, the venues are committed to ensuring an inclusive, neurodiverse and supportive environment for all.
As cashless venues, ICC Belfast have also introduced innovative ways to give back. A new online donation option, integrated into ticket purchases for Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall events, has made it easier than ever for patrons to support Dementia NI. This initiative alone has raised more than £20,000 for the charity.
In addition, two Payaz tap-to-donate machines have now been installed across the venues, enabling visitors to make quick and convenient contactless donations on-site. This latest innovative development marks another step forward in the organisation’s ongoing fundraising efforts.
Rob McConnell, CEO of ICC Belfast, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made in partnership with Dementia NI over the past year, supporting people and communities across the region."
From enhancing our team’s understanding through training to introducing new and accessible ways for our audiences to support the charity, this partnership reflects our commitment to placing the community at the heart of what we do and creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for everyone who visit our venues.
“The introduction of our tap-to-donate machines is an exciting next step, offering an innovative and convenient way for people to show their support. We are delighted to continue building on this momentum in the months ahead, positioning our venues as places where inclusivity, creativity and opportunity come together.”
Karen Kerr, Head of Engagement at Dementia NI, said:
“Our members are at the heart of everything we do, so it has been incredibly meaningful to work with ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall over the past year. Their willingness to listen, learn and take action has made a real difference in raising awareness and improving understanding of what it means to live with dementia."
The funds raised will directly support our work across Northern Ireland, and we are delighted to see the partnership continue to grow through new initiatives like the tap-to-donate machines.
The organisations have also confirmed that their partnership with Dementia NI will continue through to the summer, reinforcing a shared commitment to raising awareness and supporting people living with dementia across Northern Ireland.
