Kids Together Belfast began in 2005, when our Founder and CEO, Mairead McCrea, brought together a small group of parents who shared the same concerns – a lack of opportunities, activities and support for children and young people with disabilities and their families. As a mother of five, including a son with Down syndrome, Mairead understood these challenges first-hand. What started as parents coming together for friendship and support soon developed into a determination to create something better for their children.
After lobbying for support, the group was given the use of two garages. With hard work and funding from organisations including the National Lottery and BBC Children in Need, these were transformed into premises where Kids Together could begin to grow. In 2009, Kids Together began delivering registered services and, as the children grew, the organisation grew with them.
Today, Kids Together provides a wide range of services supporting children, young people, young adults and their families. Although we have come a long way since those first two garages, the heart of Kids Together remains the same – bringing families together, creating opportunities and ensuring everyone has a place where they belong.
