Established in 2018, our charity is dedicated to promoting social health by fostering meaningful connections within local communities. We believe that everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging, and our mission is to help reduce loneliness and social isolation through inclusive and engaging community experiences.
We envision a world where no one feels alone - a community where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, build relationships, and support one another.
At the heart of our work at Our Social Space - a welcoming environment where individuals can connect through social events, classes, group activities, and volunteering opportunities. Whether you're looking to meet new people, learn something new, or simply enjoy a friendly space, Our Social Space is here for you.
Together, we're building stronger, more connected communties - one interaction at a time.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to improving social health - not just physical wellbeing, but emotional and community wellbeing too.
We all know that physical and mental health are closely connected. But social health - our ability to connect, feel included, and be part of a community - is equally vital, even if it's talked about less often.
Loneliness and social isolation doesn’t just affect how we feel - they impact our physical health too. Research shows that prolonged social isolation can increase the risk of:
Heart disease and stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Depression and anxiety
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Dementia
Early death
We believe that good health requires a focus on the whole person - body, mind, and social connection. That's why we create spaces and experiences that prioritise connection, movement, and shared joy.
Why Social Dance?
Social dance is more than just exercise. In fact, the social comes first - it’s a shared experience that brings people together in joyful, meaningful ways.
While dance improves balance, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness, its real benefit lies in how it fosters human connection and reduces loneliness.
Dancing is associated with an impressive 46% lower risk, making it one of the most beneficial forms of movement for long-term health.
Through our inclusive social dance programmes and community events, we create welcoming spaces where people of all backgrounds can connect, move, and feel part of a supportive community.
In short: we dance for health, connection, and hope.
The true measure of our work is the difference it makes to people's lives. Through dance, connection and community, we see stories of joy, confidence and belonging unfold every day. Here's what some of our participants and partners have to say about their experience with us:
"This new life of social dancing with this group of wonderful people has been totally life changing for me. My physical and mental health has improved ten-fold. My confidence has grown and I have a whole new circle of supportive friends. I now have a whole new outlook on life."
"The instructors and organisers have been fantastic in their efforts to reduce barriers for all of us. They take into account people's personal circumstances and identify how they can help. Particularly reducing barriers relating to confidence, health and caring responsibilities."
"As a single person, social isolation has been an issue for me in the past. One of the greatest benefits of attending dance classes and social events is feeling part of a very supportive and caring community. I have been able to talk to people in the dance community who have been or are going through similar personal challenges. I'm very grateful to be part of this dance and social community and I feel very fortunate on so many levels".
Our Social Space is led by a dedicated team of volunteers who are passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive environments where people can connect, participate, and thrive.
Our Board brings together a distinctive balance of expertise in the arts, mental health, and business - offering strong governance and strategic insight to deliver high-quality, inclusive programming.
Seamus Young – Chair
Retired mental health nurse with extensive frontline experience. In the later part of his career, Seamus served as an esteemed union representative, advocating for workers’ rights and wellbeing. He brings a long-standing passion for community development, grounding our work in social justice and the ethical delivery of health programmes.
Helen McKenna – Deputy Chair
Senior Lecturer in Business with deep expertise in governance, strategic planning, and organisational resilience. Helen supports effective delivery, impact tracking, and long-term sustainability.
Dr Richard Turner – Treasurer
Principal Software Engineer and founder of Salsa Belfast and Swing Belfast. With over 20 years of experience nurturing the local social dance scene, Richard continues to invest in the arts by developing high-quality, affordable studio spaces as a community asset.
Patricia Young – Trustee
A retired community & voluntary sector manager with specialist knowledge in child protection and safeguarding, Patricia also brings a strong background in advocacy and lobbying. She has represented older people at the Pensioners’ Parliament and presented directly to Stormont. Her insight helps ensure our work stays accountable to vulnerable and underrepresented communities.
Alexander O'Neill – Trustee
Sandy brings decades of experience in community engagement, inclusion, and youth development. A long-time advocate for wellbeing through movement, he coached a successful local boxing club, using sport to foster confidence, discipline, and belonging. He also brings extensive expertise in project and facilities management, community development, and health & safety. Sandy plays a key role in ensuring the safe and effective operation of our community space and strengthens delivery through his practical, inclusive approach.
Together, our Board is artistically ambitious, clinically safe, and community-rooted, with both lived and professional experience across our core sectors.
Delivery Team
Our delivery team combines deep expertise in inclusive arts practice, mental health, and community-led change. Together, they ensure that every programme is creatively engaging, clinically informed, and socially impactful.
Carrie Montgomery – CEO / Project Coordinator / Dance Instructor
Carrie is an advanced social dance instructor and a qualified professional counsellor with over 20 years of experience. She spent a decade leading Lifeline - Northern Ireland’s 24/7 suicide prevention service - where she oversaw a £6 million annual programme. Her trauma-informed, person-centred approach ensures a compassionate, safe environment for all. As co-founder of Our Social Space, she is passionate about the role of rhythm and connection in recovery and inclusion.
Declan Allison – Training & Education Manager / Dance Instructor
Declan is an advanced community dance instructor with over 10 years’ experience and specialist training in inclusive movement practice. He brings creativity, warmth, and strong pedagogical insight to every session. Beyond dance, Declan is a long-standing advocate for social and environmental justice, having played leading roles in grassroots climate campaigns and legal actions. His experience in activism and community organising enriches the programme’s values of equity, empowerment, and inclusion.
Our work is made possible thanks to the generous support of our funders, whose commitment helps us build inclusive communities through dance and shared experiences.
We are especially grateful to:
Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland - Community Flex for their vital support to pilot our Community Dance project.
Community Foundation Northern Ireland - Micro Community Fund for their current backing of Saturday Nights In - Our Speakeasy.
The Public Health Agency through the Clear Project for their support with our Together We Dance project.
The Arts Council National Lottery and The Baring Foundation for their support with our Step into Social project.
Film Hub NI for their past support in launching The Flicks Hut.
Beyond financial support, we deeply appreciate all the donation of time, skills, ideas and passion from individuals and partners that have made our work possible. Together, we continue to create spaces where connection and wellbeing thrive.
We are proud to collaborate with a range of dedicated organisations and community groups who share our vision of building stronger, more connected communities through social dance and inclusive activities. Our partnerships enrich our programmes, extend our reach and ensure that we provide meaningful support to those who need it most.
We are also honoured to be recognised as a valued community asset by Ulster University's CHOICE project, reflecting our commitment to accessibility, wellbing and social inclusion.