On 26 May, what was Baroness May Blood's birthday, we reflect on the legacy of our late supporter and friend. To honour this legacy, we celebrate this year's recipients of the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism.
On 26 May, what was Baroness May Blood’s birthday, we reflect on the legacy of our late supporter and friend.
“My passion for the past 20 years has been Integrated Education. The work that the community relations people are doing, and the work that the people in Integrated Education are doing – is the vital work. We are building a foundation for a better Northern Ireland. We want to change Northern Ireland and Integrated Education is certainly moving in that direction.” Baroness May Blood, 2021.
To honour this legacy, the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism launched in 2024 in Integrated schools across Northern Ireland. The award is to be presented annually to a particular pupil, or group of pupils, to acknowledge their contribution and commitment to Community Activism.
The Award is made possible due to the generosity of our friends Alan and Monah Gettner.
Congratulations to all recipients of the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism this year.
Congratulations to Levi from Integrated College Dungannon on receiving this year’s Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism. As part of the College Choir, Levi has performed at many religious services, prize giving celebrations & various events. In the wider community, he also supported Newmills PS choir, accompanying them on piano, at the Dungannon Music & Drama Festival. Levi supports 2 church communities by playing piano during Sunday services & church events.
Levi has represented the College on many occasions as Head Boy, and previously as a Student Councillor, an anti-bullying ambassador and a Maths mentor- supporting junior students in their learning. He has represented the College through several intergenerational projects, at local nursing homes.
An ardent charity supporter, Levi has taken part in street collections and sponsored walks for Mary’s Meals Support Group in Coalisland.
Levi has worked at the Ógras Summer Scheme, in Coalisland, for 4 years. Ógras is a group which promotes the personal and social education of young people in Coalisland. His hard work and dedication to the young people involved within this project, led to him securing a Youth Support Worker post. In this post, Levi works with 7 – 11 year olds including young people with Special Educational Needs.
A truly deserving winner!
Huge congratulations to Hannah, Darci and Louisa @ICG were awarded the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism.
The award recognises the contribution that they have made to the local community and to the College’s Integrated ethos. The three students showed excellent leadership in championing integration and entering the Carson Prize 2025 with their video, poems and posters on what integration means to them. The girls promoted their work and beliefs in assemblies and at the 2025 prize night, where they read out their work to visiting parents, guests, fellow prize winners and staff. The girls are fantastic role models who are active in extracurricular clubs and are peer mentors, for example in PE when they can be seen coaching others. The girls often lead by example and drive for change as they are active on the school council and at the annual P7 Day and Open night events. Likewise, outside of school the girls continue their community activism at GB, in Dance, at Hockey and also at Youth groups in their Church.
Congratulations Hannah, Darci and Louisa!
Congratulations to Phoebe at Ulidia IC on receiving the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism!
Phoebe was selected to receive the award to reflect her community involvement. She has been a volunteer for the cadet unit for St John’s Ambulance for many years. In May 2025 Phoebe raised a substantial amount of money for Dementia UK by walking an incredible 31 miles. Last Christmas she once again led a touching initiative to bring Christmas joy to residents in local community care homes, especially those without family.
Last year, she was inspired to act after her Great Granda was diagnosed with dementia. Seeing how difficult it was for families, Phoebe wanted to make sure that no one spent Christmas morning without a gift. Thanks to generous donations, she reached three care homes and one residential fold, with many residents saying that her gift was the only one they received.
This year, following the loss of her great granda in February, Phoebe is even more determined to honour his memory by expanding the project further.
Well done Phoebe!
Congratulations to Jay at at Hazelwood Integrated College on receiving the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism!
Jay received the Award for using his voice to advocate for others and drive real change in his community. He demonstrates leadership, confidence, and impact through fundraising, activism, and engaging with decision-makers.
In his own words: “As a ‘Youth Voice Champion’ I believe advocating for others and using my voice for much more than just having a conversation is one of the most important things I can do to ensure a brighter future for my generation. I have been able to do this due largely to the opportunities provided to me by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum which has gave me the confidence to make friends from many different areas of Belfast and across NI, meet with and present to the electoral commission, go from attending to Hosting the annual Northern Ireland Youth Forum/Electoral Commission ‘welcome to your vote week’ event and gain a new perspective on community activism. Since joining, I have been able to bring my confidence into my actions as I have been able to raise over £300 for Aware NI, facilitate mental health walks, sit on panels with politicians and become a SSUNI delegate for my school. I have also been able to report many different issues and inconveniences to the correct authorities in not only my area but across Belfast such as potholes, trees restricting roads, and broken fences as I believe that your environment reflects on your personal attitude. In the future I have plans on staying on the same trajectory and help improve not only my community but support other communities that believe they don’t have a voice!”
Another worthy winner!
Congratulations to Seth at Corran Integrated Primary School on receiving the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism!
This award goes to a pupil whose energy and enthusiasm shines brightly in everything they put their mind to. Seth) completed a remarkable challenge this year, completing 36 holes of golf in one day, with all donations and sponsorship going to the Mae Murray Foundation. The Mae Murray foundation promotes inclusive activities. Through this challenge, Seth has created more opportunities for people of all abilities to take part, have fun and make friends. He approaches everything with determination, positivity, and a big heart and should be very proud of this achievement.
Well done Seth!
Congratulations to Jude at Strangford Integrated College on receiving the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism!
Jude has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community, inclusion, and student wellbeing throughout his time in school.
As a Mental Health and Anti-Bullying Ambassador, Jude has led and supported wellness and mindfulness initiatives, ensuring that students feel heard, supported, and valued. He has created a safe space for open conversations around mental health, encouraging others to speak up and seek help when needed. In his role as Integration Prefect, Jude has actively promoted respect, understanding and unity within the school community, welcoming new students and championing an ethos where every culture, background and belief is appreciated.
Jude’s dedication to supporting others is further reflected in his work as SEN Prefect and Year 12 Pastoral Prefect, where he has acted as a mentor, role model and trusted support for younger pupils navigating both academic pressures and personal challenges. As Deputy Head Boy and Performing Arts Prefect, he has shown strong leadership, responsibility, and pride in representing his school.
His commitment to community extends beyond the classroom through his involvement in the Charity Committee and his work in a local nursing home, organising games and activities that build meaningful intergenerational connections. Jude was recently recognised at this year’s Uberheroes Kindness Awards for many selfless acts of kindness.
Through compassion, resilience, and a genuine passion for serving others, Jude truly embodies the spirit of the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism.
A very worthy winner!
Congratulations to the P6 librarians at Killyleagh IPS on receiving the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism!
A huge well done to the fantastic P6 librarians who were inspired by Marcus Rashford’s message of helping others and suggested that our school make donations to the local food bank. Their compassion and initiative truly embody the values that the school aims to nurture in all the pupils.
During the Integration Education Month ‘Better Together’ Assembly, the librarians were proudly presented with the school’s Baroness May Blood Award, recognising their outstanding contribution and commitment to the school community.
After assembly, the librarians hopped on to the school minibus to deliver the donated items to Downpatrick Food Bank, where the children saw first-hand the impact of their efforts.
A special mention must go to Mrs Morrison the amazing school secretary for supporting the librarians throughout this project.
Killyleagh IPS are incredibly proud of the pupils for leading with kindness and making a real difference in the school community.
Congratulations librarians!
Congratulations to Kelly from Malone IC on being awarded the Baroness May blood Award for Community Activism in recognition of her remarkable contribution to the school’s bilingual community and her inspiring personal growth.
As a prominent figure in the bilingual centre, she has shown genuine care and dedication in supporting all staff and warmly welcoming new Chinese students, helping them feel included and confident in a new environment. What makes her achievement especially meaningful is how she has overcome her shyness from junior school, stepping forward to actively participate in Culture Day celebrations. This year, she went even further by leading the new Chinese students in a beautiful dance and coordinating an engaging PowerPoint presentation, demonstrating both leadership and creativity. Last year, Kelly achieved an A in her A-level Mandarin course, studying in her own time outside school. Her hard work has been recognised with four university offers. Kelly’s kindness, courage, and commitment to others truly make her an outstanding student and a highly deserving recipient of this award.
Not all heroes wear capes.. some just wear their school uniform!
We often think of heroes as being ‘superheroes’, like Spiderman or Superman but a hero can be an ordinary person who does something ‘amazing’. Sometimes we never know about what they do and they are just ‘unsung heroes’.
Well, there is an unsung hero in Fort Hill IPS, an ordinary pupil who did an extraordinary thing! And that pupil is TJ.
When TJ was in Fort Hill IPS Nursery, the pupils learned about people who help us and how you should dial 999 in an emergency. One afternoon, not long after, he was at home with his mum when she collapsed. TJ tried to waken her but couldn’t. He got her phone and dialled 999. TJ explained to the operator that his mummy wouldn’t waken up. The emergency operator talked to TJ got the police and an ambulance there.
TJ’s Mum was taken to hospital and made a full recovery. TJ also lives with his own medical condition, epilepsy.
Fort Hill IPS is extremely proud of TJ and was delighted to present him with the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism.
Circe at at Bangor Central IPS received the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism in recognition of her outstanding commitment to her community.
Inspired by the new MyEARTH platform, which encourages people across Northern Ireland to take meaningful action to address the climate and biodiversity issues, Circe entered the Summer Impact ‘Ten Minute Tidy’ Challenge 2025.
Circe undertook a series of impactful activities, most notably organising and participating in a litter pick and community clean-up in Bangor.
Her dedication and enthusiasm led to her being named the overall winner of the challenge.
In addition to her individual efforts, Circe played an active role as part of the team that helped Bangor Central Integrated Primary School achieve its prestigious Green Flag Award, demonstrating her ability to collaborate and contribute meaningfully to wider environmental initiatives within her school community.
Her passion, initiative, and impact make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Congratulations to Central Integrated Primary School Council on being awarded the Baroness May Blood Award for Community Activism!
The School Council has been recognised for its exceptional commitment to community service, having organised a highly successful coffee morning. The event brought together members of the school and the local community and raised valuable funds towards the purchase of new playground equipment. The coffee morning was praised for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and the enthusiasm shown by pupils, staff, families, and community members alike, highlighting the strong bonds between the school and its wider community.
The School Council also made the compassionate decision this year to support a parent of one of our pupils who has been diagnosed with stage 4B adenocarcinoma. Determined to help fund specialist treatment not available through the NHS, the pupils worked alongside their peers to organise a range of fundraising initiatives. Through their dedication, teamwork, and empathy, they succeeded in raising a significant sum of money, demonstrating not only remarkable leadership but also genuine kindness and social responsibility.
The School Council’s efforts this year stand as a powerful example of how young people can make a meaningful difference.
Worthy winners indeed!
Pictured with Integrated AlumNI Secretary Lucie Millar.
