Meeting with the Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tracy Kelly

It was fantastic to meet up and connect with Belfast’s Lord Mayor in the City Hall yesterday. She invited me over to City Hall and we had coffee and talked about the work of the Foodbank.

I know Tracy very well, as she is a Botanic councillor for South Belfast and works in Sandy Row. She is an official referrer too, and her office (Edwin Potts MLA) on Sandy Row is a lifeline for people of BT12 to get guidance, assistance and help with various aspects of support and referrals. South Belfast DUP have been a referrer since we began.

She asked how she could support our work, especially with her influential platform as the current Lord Mayor, and I mentioned how we are currently “stock insecure” and we talked about the current ongoing cost of living crisis, especially the cost of shopping and buying groceries. I noted that people’s food giving has decreased due to spiralling food costs, which is so understandable.

She will do all she can to support us, and hopes to visit us in the run up to Christmas and highlight the work that we are doing in tackling food insecurity and poverty.

She mentioned that the role of Lord Mayor of Belfast has taken her across the whole of the City of Belfast, and that she had her eyes opened to such an interesting and varied mix of community groups who are doing such incredible work in helping people in need and offering support. I could tell she was learning, growing and buzzing with enthusiasm and energy. As a result, she wants to connect with more community groups across the South of the City and spend time making sure they have what they need and are supported. The encouragement I sensed leaving the meeting was palpable.

Thank you Lord Mayor of Belfast for caring and for understanding and for listening. Keep up the good work!

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