Bellinge community comes together to celebrate Cre8 Change's first birthday with a spooktacular Halloween Party
More than 100 people joined together for an evening of laughter, music, friendship and community spirit as Cre8 Change CIC celebrated its first year operating from Bellinge Community Centre.
On Saturday 31 October 2026, Bellinge Community Centre was transformed into a spooky Halloween wonderland as residents of all ages came together to celebrate Halloween and mark a very special milestone: one year of Cre8 Change being active within the centre.
With a DJ, music, dancing, costumes, Halloween decorations and a huge homemade themed buffet, the evening welcomed over 100 people throughout the night, from young children and teenagers to parents, grandparents and older residents.
But behind the costumes, decorations and celebrations was something far more meaningful: a community coming together simply to enjoy being a community.
The event was about much more than Halloween. It was an opportunity for people to step away from the pressures of everyday life, even if only for a few hours.
For one evening, the worries, responsibilities and stresses of daily life could take a back seat. People could dress up, laugh, dance, socialise, be silly and simply enjoy themselves.
Children could be children, teenagers could relax and enjoy themselves, and adults could rediscover a little of the fun and freedom that often gets lost amongst the responsibilities of growing up.
One particularly touching moment came when little bags of Halloween sweets were handed out, not just to the children but to the adults too. Seeing grown men visibly relax and smile at such a simple gesture was a lovely reminder that nobody ever really grows too old to enjoy a little childhood magic.
A celebration created by the community
Although many people expressed their thanks to Cre8 Change for organising the evening, the organisation is keen to make one thing absolutely clear: the real credit belongs to the community itself.
Speaking on behalf of Cre8 Change, Rachel explained:
"People kept thanking us for what we'd done, but the truth is, it wasn't us who made the evening what it was. It was them.
"We could have stood in a decorated hall with food, music and costumes, but without the people of the community, it wouldn't have been a community event.
"It became a community event because the community came. They brought the laughter, the atmosphere, the friendships, the smiles and the sense of togetherness.
"People donated decorations and snacks, helped us set everything up, came along to enjoy themselves and then stayed behind to help pack everything away.
"There were no expectations, no obligations and no demands. People simply came together because they wanted to, and that is what made the evening so special."
Despite welcoming more than 100 people throughout the celebrations, the evening passed without a single issue or incident.
Everyone embraced the occasion, with fantastic costumes, wonderful attitudes and an atmosphere of genuine happiness and togetherness.
By 9pm, thanks to community members helping with the clear-up, the hall had been returned to normal, almost as though the entire celebration had never happened.
But the memories, laughter and connections made that evening will remain.
One year of Cre8 Change at the heart of Bellinge
The Halloween celebration also marked one year since Cre8 Change began operating from the community house next door
Established as a grassroots, community-led organisation, Cre8 Change has spent the past year providing a welcoming and inclusive space where residents can access support, build friendships, share experiences and feel part of something.
Operating regular sessions on Mondays and Fridays, the organisation offers practical support, guidance, advocacy and individual assistance alongside opportunities for people to connect socially.
Over the past year, Cre8 Change has supported residents facing a wide range of personal and everyday challenges, while continuing to encourage community participation, inclusion and mutual support.
The organisation has also witnessed first-hand the generosity of local residents, including during the evacuation in Bellinge earlier this year, when neighbours, volunteers and local businesses came together to support those affected.
That same willingness to help, contribute and look out for one another was evident once again throughout the Halloween celebrations.
Cre8 Change's approach is rooted in a simple belief: communities are strongest when people feel valued, listened to, included and empowered to support one another.
The Halloween celebration demonstrated exactly what that looks like in practice.
Supporting wellbeing through togetherness
Community wellbeing isn't always about formal activities, appointments or structured interventions.
Sometimes, it is about providing a space where people can forget their worries for a little while, enjoy themselves and feel connected to others.
For some, a few hours of laughter and companionship can offer a welcome break from isolation, stress, financial pressures or personal difficulties.
The evening was designed to be relaxed and inclusive, without organised games, demands or expectations. People were free to enjoy the music, food and company in whatever way suited them.
And that is exactly what happened.
The response from residents was overwhelmingly positive, with wonderful feedback from people of all ages who enjoyed the evening.
A special thank you to DJ ChuckleBeats
Cre8 Change would also like to give a very special and heartfelt thank you to Wayne and Steve of DJ ChuckleBeats, who generously gave up their Saturday evening to provide the music and entertainment for the Halloween and first birthday celebration.
As a wonderful gesture of community support, they volunteered their professional DJ services for this special occasion, helping to make the evening accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
They were absolutely fantastic throughout the night, creating a brilliant atmosphere, keeping the music flowing and bringing energy, laughter and fun to the celebrations.
Their generosity, professionalism and enthusiasm made a real difference to the evening, and Cre8 Change is incredibly grateful that they chose to support the organisation and the Bellinge community in this way.
DJ ChuckleBeats deserve recognition not only for their kindness but also for the fantastic service they provided. Their contribution was an important part of making the celebration such a success, and Cre8 Change would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for professional DJs who know how to create a great atmosphere and make an event memorable.
A huge thank you to Wayne and Steve for helping make the evening such a success.
A special thank you to the Cre8 Change family
Behind the scenes, the first year of Cre8 Change has involved countless hours of dedication, hard work, patience and voluntary commitment.
A particularly heartfelt thank you goes to fellow Director Sami Machin, whose unwavering support, patience and commitment have been invaluable throughout the organisation's first year at the centre.
Sammi has volunteered her time every Monday and Friday, consistently supporting the organisation, its activities and the people who walk through its doors.
Her dedication, understanding and remarkable patience have been fundamental to everything Cre8 Change has achieved.
Her contribution has also been made possible by the understanding and support of her own family, who deserve recognition for the time, patience and sacrifices that come with supporting someone so committed to their community.
Without Sami's dedication and her family's continued support, the journey of Cre8 Change's first year would have been very different.
Special appreciation also goes to the children and families behind Cre8 Change, who have supported the journey through the long days, late nights, endless ideas, last-minute plans and occasionally rather impulsive decisions that come with building something from the ground up.
Their patience, humour, flexibility and willingness to roll with the chaos have been an enormous part of making this first year possible.
And of course, a huge thank you to the wider Cre8 Change family, the volunteers, supporters, residents and everyone who has given their time, encouragement, kindness or simply turned up and been part of the journey.
Every contribution, however small it may seem, matters.
Bellinge has every reason to be proud
Above all, Cre8 Change wants to recognise the people of Bellinge.
Communities are too often spoken about in terms of their difficulties and challenges and historic negativity, while the kindness, generosity, resilience and everyday acts of support that exist within them receive far less attention and how much theyve evolve for the better.
Bellinge is showing, time and time again, just how much community spirit exists here.
The Halloween celebration was another example of residents coming together across generations, supporting one another and creating something positive for everyone.
"We are incredibly proud of Bellinge and the people who make this community what it is.
"The kindness, love, encouragement and support that Cre8 Change has received throughout this first year have been overwhelming.
"We don't take any of it for granted, and we are genuinely grateful to every single person who has been part of our journey.
"Seeing the children, teenagers, adults and older residents all enjoying themselves together, without any drama or problems, was wonderful.
"Everyone looked amazing, everyone was amazing, and the atmosphere was everything we could have hoped for.
"People often talk about what organisations do for communities, but this is about recognising what communities do for themselves and for one another.
"Cre8 Change may help provide the space and opportunities, but it is the people who bring the heart, the warmth and the life into it.
"We are so proud of what Bellinge continues to show us. The community deserves the recognition, the thanks and the celebration.
"Here's to our first year, to everyone who has supported us, and to many more years of growing together."
As Cre8 Change looks towards its second year at Bellinge Community Centre, the message remains the same as it has always been:
Same community. Same support. Stronger together.
And if the Halloween celebration proved anything, it is that the greatest strength of Bellinge has always been its people.