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More Than a Match: Belfast Met Students Celebrate Triumph in Confidence and Independence
Students from Belfast Met’s Centre for Supported Learning have returned home from Liverpool with far more than just a win under their belts.
The students travelled to England to take on the Liverpool Foundation Inclusion Team in a friendly fixture, securing victory on the pitch. But according to staff, the real achievement went far beyond the final whistle.
For many of the young people involved, who have transitioned from special schools into further education, the trip marked a major milestone. The group navigated an airport, travelled on public transport in an unfamiliar city, stayed overnight in a hotel and dined out together, building confidence and independence along the way.
The visit also included a tour of Anfield Stadium, creating lasting memories for the students.
Michael Patterson, Curriculum Area Manager for Supported Learning at Belfast Met, said the experience demonstrated just how much the students have grown.
“This was about much more than football,” he said. “To see our students travelling independently, competing with confidence and representing the college with such pride was incredibly powerful. Moving from school into further education can be a significant step, and experiences like this show what is possible when young people are given the right support and opportunities.”
The Centre for Supported Learning at Belfast Met provides inclusive education for young people and adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. Programmes focus on developing independence, employability and personal growth, helping students progress into further education, employment or community life.
Trips such as this form part of the Centre’s wider commitment to ensuring students experience life beyond the classroom and build the skills they need for adulthood.
For the students involved, it was a football match to remember. For staff and families, it was a powerful reminder of how far confidence, opportunity and support can take you.