Students help build a strong community

Volunteers from Carrickfergus Grammar and St. Dominics at work on the Habitat for Humanity NI project. (Submitted Picture)

The partnership between Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland and St Michael’s Church of Ireland Parish, off the Shankill Road, will serve people across West Belfast.

Habitat volunteers of all backgrounds are helping to refurbish St Michael’s parish hall on Craven Street. To date, volunteers have included young people taking part in Habitat’s cross-community ChangeMakers Programme which explores social justice and active citizenship with 16 -18 year olds.

Carrickfergus volunteers and St. Dominic’s Grammar are two of the schools who have worked together onsite with their work closely supervised by trained professionals and includes cleaning, sanding, painting and basic construction.

Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat NI, said: “Since our founding in 1994, breaking down barriers between divided communities has been at the heart of our work. Thousands of volunteers have worked on Habitat community-building projects, in Northern Ireland and around the world.

“We are very excited about this partnership with St Michael’s Parish. When the leadership of the church committed to invest in improving their hall they focused not only on the building but on what could be achieved through the project. It is about much more than four walls and a roof; it is bringing people together to help build a strong, inclusive community.”

To learn more about Habitat’s work visit habitatni.co.uk.