A couple have opened a café and kid's play area in North Belfast to help support the local community.
Maciej and Marta Zielinski, who are originally from Poland, opened Wild World Parties in February 2022.
Operating on the weekends for private event hire, they're open during the week to provide a safe space for children to play while parents can have a coffee and socialise.
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The building they operate from on Skegoneill Avenue just off the Antrim Road was previously used for the Castleton Bowling Club. However, it was left derelict and in disrepair for seven years before the couple breathed new life into it and opened Wild World Parties in February.
Maciej and Marta knew they wanted to work with children, but didn't know in what capacity until they stumbled across the 350 square metre hidden gem. The building now has two rooms with bouncy castles and other inflatable games, as well as a café and private kids party room.
"I drove past so many times but never knew this place was here. I couldn't believe it was empty for so long, it was here derelict for seven years," Marta told Belfast Live.
"We always wanted to have something for children. I work in a school and he's a swimming coach, I used to be a child minder when my children were younger. We always saw each other working with children but never knew in what way, then we came across this place and just added one and one together.
"As the parents of two children, a Christmas boy and an October boy, we could never have bouncy castles for their birthday parties as the weather was always rainy or cold.
"There was never that option for us and I know there's so many families around here that don't even have enough garden for their kids to play in. Here, we were aiming for something very chilled out. Parents know each other and can sit with a wee coffee, kids are playing, it's nice and relaxed for families.
"With this place, kids can be kids and play around, while their parents can relax and watch on and have their own time. Parents can make friends with other parents, to avoid feeling isolated."
The couple said it was always important to them to create a welcoming space where the full community can enjoy themselves. Soon after opening, they began to help with hosting charity donations and getting involved with local fundraising events.
Marta said: "At least once a month we want to do some sort of community or charity event. It was really important for us to want to open the place up to the local community.
"Soon after we opened, we started doing Ukraine donations. Since then, we've hosted two more charity events, so we're very happy to help and give something back to the community."
Describing the new space as their "dream", Maciej and Marta are planning to host weekly quiet sessions for children with additional needs as parents may struggle for safe spaces to bring them for fun.
"We have a lot of parents coming to us saying they feel like they can't go many places for fear of being judged and they don't feel comfortable, so we're doing quiet sessions to suit everyone. At those sessions, everyone will be in the same shoes and will be more likely to come," Marta said.
"Maciej is a swimming coach and the majority of his lessons are with children who are on the spectrum, and we know how those parents find it hard to even talk to the other parents. So we want to build up space where they can feel safe and supported, if they're in the same place every week parents and children can build up those important friendships."
Due to the great feedback they've received, Marta said they're both excited for what the future holds, and hope to be able to welcome people from near and far.
She added: "Over the summer we'll have morning and afternoon sessions, we will be announcing this on our website and Facebook. We want to see what needs there are in the area and will do our best to provide this.
"We'll have more sessions over the summer to make sure kids can stay occupied over the holidays. For weekends, we are private hire only for now, but Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays we do this café at the moment and we'll definitely be extending that soon."
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