Clanmil Housing has supported 230 Year 6 and 7 pupils in Belfast Primary Schools to learn about cyber safety with help from school speaker and trainer Wayne Denner.  

Wayne delivered the workshops, entitled Up your Game and Get Smart Online, to eight primary schools across the city - St Mathews, St Patricks, Nettlefield, Knocknagoney, Harding Memorial Integrated, Cregagh, Euston Street and Elmgrove.  

Clanmil worked with Wayne to deliver the project as part of the promotional work for the Loftlines development in the Titanic Quarter, which is being supported by the Housing Executive and the Department for Communities ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.

Wayne's talks and workshops aim to help children protect themselves while they’re online,  keep up to date with the risks and benefits of Ai, look after their reputation – and, most importantly protect themselves from people and organisations who could cause them harm online.  Wayne educates children and young people on safe, responsible and productive online use and how to use tech to increase opportunities in life, sport and work. 

Commenting on the project he delivered for Clanmil, Wayne said: 

“These workshops are about equipping young people with the practical skills and knowledge to enable them to have a safer experience online. Children are using technology from a young age so it’s about giving them the right information and the practical skills they need to navigate the online space, to think critically when online and to know what to do when things go wrong.  The response to the workshops is fantastic with lots of great questions and engagement. Clanmil have enabled the children to get access to information which will be invaluable to them prior to starting secondary school’’.  

Ashleigh Shaw, Community Investment Officer at Clanmil said:  

“Promoting Loftlines in the Titanic Quarter as a shared housing development involves working with a variety of age groups from different communities to encourage positive relationships and provide opportunities for learning. The children at these eight schools picked up valuable skills from Wayne to keep them safe online and to be aware of the consequences of what they share online and how this might impact them in the future.” 

Ciara O’Neill, principal of St Matthews Primary School commented: 

“We were thrilled to have Wayne with us this morning. This is an important area of discussion, and while we talk repeatedly to our pupils during the school year about internet safety and social media, it makes a difference to have someone independent, who is an expert in this field to talk to the children. It really resonated with them and it’s important for them as well as their parents and families. Workshops like these are crucial in preparing the young people for the post-primary stage when the challenges will be greater.” 

Alexandra Garrett, a teacher at Nettlefield Primary School added: 

“I thought the workshop was really informative and helpful. Most young people are on social media, so it’s important to teach them how to protect themselves.” 

Watch a short video about the project here

About Shared Housing

Clanmil manages 13 shared housing developments in Northern Ireland including Loftlines, Titanic Quarter which is being supported by the Housing Executive and the Department for Communities ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.

The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. 

A potential £12.7m will be invested in the Loftlines shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.  

About Wayne Denner 

To find out more on how Wayne helps schools and families, visit www.waynedenner.com