The Young Changemakers Market

All of the young people who hosted stalls are part of the Horizons programme, an 18-month leadership development experience where they partake in 5 core areas of work. One of the elements of the programme is social enterprise, where the young people have to create a social enterprise business, design and make a product and then sell at the marketplace to raise money for a cause that is important to them.

Overview of the different groups and their businesses:

• Group Social Enterprise Product Social Impact Profits
• Ballymena Dear Self Mugs with positive affirmations Profits to Turning Point NI £210
• North Belfast She Drinks Reusable cold cups for female empowerment Profits to Women’s Aid £246.50
• Waterside Shout Back A personal alarm with a QR code which details support organisations for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Profits to Foyle Women’s Aid £270
• Strabane Behind Every Card Birthday, celebration and greeting cards Cupcakes and sweet treated given to elderly in local community along with a handwritten greeting card £105
• Rathcoole Keep ‘er Lit Bags Profits to the David James Foundation £75
• Downpatrick Focussaurs Study Kit Profits to All Lives are Precious £244
• Ballycastle Key to the Coast Fridge magnets and keyrings with images of the North Coast Profits to Cancer Fund for Children £100
• Coleraine Meals with Meaning Lunch boxes and water bottles For every lunch box sold, one is donated to Women’s Aid filled with necessities £310
• Newry Melody Market Personalised Spotify keyrings and plaques Profits to Cancer Fund for Children £320
• Moor & Foyleside Social Threads Clothing collection called ‘Mo Chara’ promoting the Irish language and belonging Profits donated to a local Irish language charity £400
• Carrickfergus Tiny Treasures Handmade and customised jewelery Profits to Autism NI £105
• Carrickfergus Sensory Solutions Sensory gifts and packs Profits to Autism NI £171
• Larne Charatees Tie-die t-shirts Profits to Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust £200
• Dungannon Craic N’ Cards Conversational card game surrounding teamwork, leadership and friendship Profits to a local Children’s Care Home and donation of card game £270
• Cookstown HERIZON SHINE Tote Bags Profits to Cookstown Women’s Aid £450
• Ards Cuddle for a Cause Teddy bear keyring, with 3d printed fidget attachment and 'adoption certificate' Buy one, donate one bear through the Ulster Hospital with the EA CONNECT Team £280
• Enniskillen Positive Pots Plant pots made up by the young people with positive messages Profits donated to a local care home specialising in Dementia, alongside plant pots £259.15
• Lurgan Heart Smart T-shirts promoting heart health and local defibrillators Profits donated to British Heart Foundation £228
• Glengormley Furever Collection Personalised animal bandanas and water bottles Profits donated to Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary £270
• Ballybeen Mak3D 3D printed fidget toys Profits donated to Helping Hands £210
• Ballybeen Challengables Card game with different challenges for individuals Profits donated to Helping Hands £120
• East Belfast Eastern Aura Fidget Toys and Rings Profits donated to Mind Skills Training £240.11
• Portrush Coastal Creations Hand decorated vases and keyrings with positive quotes Profits donated to Marie Curie £450

The event, which was open to the public, was held in the brand-new Belfast Grand Central Station and hosted by Translink, raised a grand total of £4, 786.23 for a variety of charities and social impact causes. These causes were selected by each group based on their own personal stories and desire to help their local communities or charities that was meaningful for their group.

The day also had a competitive edge as young people and groups were competing for a number of awards that were presented at the end of the event by Paul Deighan, Head of Regional Services. The winner of social enterprise of the year 2025 was Social Threads for their hand designed and printed t-shirts, tote bags and hoodies, the “Mo Chara” Collection.

• Social Enterprise of the Year 2025: Social Threads
• Social Enterprise of the year Runners Up (2 awards): Coastal Creations and Focusaurus
• Innovation Award: HeartSmart
• Teamwork Award: Craic ‘n’ Cards
• Social Impact Award: Behind every card
• Best Branding Award: cuddle for a Cause
• Best Stall Design: Key to the Coast
• Highest Sales: Coastal Creations
• Mystery Shopper Award (Judged by Jim Robinson): Mak’3D
• Best Sales Person (2 awards): Dylan, Shoutback and Kai, Mak’3D
• Customer Excellence: Mick, Social Threads, and Leah, Focusaurus