Ballycastle High School has hosted the first of six Enterprise Awareness sessions being held in post-primary schools throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area, between November 2025 and March 2026.
Funded by Council’s Go Succeed programme and delivered by Young Enterprise NI, these sessions aim to inspire young people aged 16 and over, to consider entrepreneurial pathways, through team building exercises, inspiring conversations with local entrepreneurs and various business ideation activities. Circa 300 pupils will benefit from these enterprise sessions.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, who opened the first event in Ballycastle, praised the schools-based programme, as students learned about key business concepts and applied them to real life challenges.
Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “I was delighted to open this morning’s Enterprise Awareness event in Ballycastle High School.
“The event was facilitated by Young Enterprise NI on behalf of Council’s Go Succeed Enterprise Support Service.
“It is very encouraging to see students work in teams to think of new and unique business ideas to solve real world problems.
“Events like this give pupils a chance to develop their teamwork and problem-solving skills through a number of fun, hands-on activities and challenges.
“I truly believe that practical events such as these are of paramount importance in a student’s education. I wish the remaining five enterprise awareness events in schools across the Council area every success”
Tracey McAllister, owner of local gift and home interiors business, Home Made Beautiful in Ballycastle also joined the workshop to share valuable insights into the realities of running a business, offering inspiration and answering students’ questions. Tracey has recently availed of Go Succeed support to grow her business further.
Go Succeed is a free business support service, delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils and funded by the UK Government. The Go Succeed service supports potential, and existing entrepreneurs across the borough at every stage of their business journey. The service delivers flexible support for clients, including mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, access to grant funding and a business plan.
If you would like to apply for support to start, grow or scale a business please register at www.go-succeed.com
To find out more about the work of Young Enterprise NI and how you could become involved in inspiring and supporting future entrepreneurs, please visit https://yeni.co.uk/our-volunteers/
Pearce McFall, YENI Facilitator; Mayor Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Oliver McMullan; Tracey McAllister, owner of Home Made Beautiful' Ballycastle; Una Bailey, Economic Development Officer Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council; and Michael Rafferty, Senior Teacher, Head of Careers, Ballycastle High School, pictured at an Enterprise Awareness session, funded by Council’s Go Succeed programme and delivered by Young Enterprise NI.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Council Oliver McMullan, pictured with students from Ballycastle High School at an Enterprise Awareness session, funded by Council’s Go Succeed programme and delivered by Young Enterprise NI.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Council Oliver McMullan, pictured with students from Ballycastle High School at an Enterprise Awareness session, funded by Council’s Go Succeed programme and delivered by Young Enterprise NI.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Council Oliver McMullan, talking to students from Ballycastle High School at an Enterprise Awareness session, funded by Council’s Go Succeed programme.
Students from Ballycastle High School have participated in an Enterprise Awareness session, funded by Council’s Go Succeed programme and delivered by Young Enterprise NI.
Tracey McAllister, guest speaker/entrepreneur and owner of Home Made Beautiful, Ballycastle, talking to students from Ballycastle High School at an Enterprise Awareness session, funded by Council’s Go Succeed programme.