The Friends of St Gerard (FOSG) charity is dedicated to enriching the lives of students at St. Gerard’s Special School in Belfast, one of the city’s largest schools for young people with special needs.
Through hands-on experiences and social activities, we support students in building valuable life skills, confidence, and a sense of independence that will help them engage positively in their communities and, potentially, in future workplaces.
All proceeds from our efforts go directly towards essential enrichment opportunities, including swimming lessons, day trips, and sensory resources, vital to our students’ development and well-being.
Additionally, we offer respite and social engagement through youth club activities, providing a supportive space for students and their families.
Brian’s Boru is a coffee cart that is located on the school grounds. It is fully operational during the week, and is named in honour of the beloved St. Gerard’s teacher Brian Austin, who is fondly remembered after his passing.
Brian’s Boru provides a supportive environment for St Gerard’s pupils to develop valuable employability skills.
Any money raised from this initiative is placed back into the school!
Come and try a coffee some time! Get a great coffee and help our school!
Café Gerard is our second coffee shop, nestled in Sally Gardens Playing Fields, Bell Steele Road, Dunmurry.
It is a social enterprise established by Friends of St Gerard and the purpose of Cafe Gerard is to empower young neurodiverse and disabled individuals to build key skills in a supportive environment, enhancing employability.
All profit is used to fund core activities for St Gerards pupils.
Open every Saturday morning, the café offers these young individuals a regular space to learn essential skills and interact with the community.
Customers are welcomed into a warm, friendly atmosphere, where our fantastic St Gerard’s students serve a range of hot and cold beverages, including coffee crafted from Belfast Coffee Roasters beans, alongside a selection of locally sourced treats such as tray bakes and sausage rolls.
