THRiVE Newtownabbey was delighted to host the first ever WE CAN… Awards, as part of the Rathcoole Festival on 30th October 2022.

We were delighted to give awards in each of the three WE CAN categories:
WE CAN… Learn, WE CAN… Be Healthy And Well, and WE CAN… Be Connected …
Nominations came in from schools, churches, community groups across Rathcoole and Monkstown and a panel of judges met in early October to deliberate on who would receive this year’s awards. Not an easy task!
In the end, seven remarkable children and young people received WE CAN… Awards produced by NACN. Each Award winner also received a prize pack containing WE CAN branded items and a range of items from a range of local businesses, worth over £100 each.
Hear more about our amazing award winners here.

WE CAN… LEARN

MARCUS MCCRUM

JOSE LAYZA ROBERTSON

FARAH ABD AL GHANI

WE CAN… BE HEALTHY AND WELL

LUCANS MULLAN

ROSE RICHMOND

WE CAN… BE CONNECTED

DAISY KETTLEY

ETHAN WARRY

The WE CAN Awards highlighted not only that Rathcoole and Monkstown are home to many remarkable children but also the power of collaboration! THRiVE Newtownabbey staff, members of the THRiVE Newtownabbey Project Board, representatives from THRiVE Schools, THRiVE Community Groups, THRiVE Churches and THRiVE Parent Champions as well as local businesses all played a part in bringing the Award ceremony together. The local community in Rathcoole and Monkstown also played their part by helping to celebrate our Award winners on the day, giving each of our award winners such generous applause and encouragement!  It was especially good to welcome parents and carers of the WE CAN Award winners onto the stage to thank and encourage them for all the ways they support their child to be amazing!
“Thank you” to everyone who helped make the WE CAN… Awards so memorable, in particular:

* The Award Sponsors:
McDonald’s, Glengormley and CDE Group for sponsoring all seven awards.
and individual category sponsors:
ABBEYCentre, Newtownabbey Footgolf, and The Works, ABBEYCentre (WE CAN… Learn)
Airtastic, Newtownabbey and Tesco Extra, Northcott (WE CAN… Be Healthy And Well)
Moviehouse, Glengormley and EuroSpar, Rathcoole (WE CAN… Be Connected)
* NACN for producing the Awards and creating the films and taking photos on the day.
* Philip Brett MLA for presenting the Awards and celebrating the achievements of local children and young people
The WE CAN Awards 2022 were a resounding success.

Were already excited to see who our Award winners will be in 2023!