An East Belfast charity are set to establish a new community hub and community fridge thanks to funding from a local construction firm.
The East Belfast Mission are set to benefit from a grant of £25,000 as part of the Whitemountain Programme established by Breedon and managed by Groundwork Northern Ireland.
The £25,000 secured from the Whitemountain Programme will assist East Belfast Mission in creating a community hub, which will offer easy access to mental health facilities, such as 1-1 and group mental health support.
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It will also be used to build a community fridge open to anyone in the community affected by food poverty and the cost of living crisis.
East Belfast Mission offer services to alleviate the difficulties faced by the community in East Belfast, such as homelessness, employability, counselling and psychotherapy services, and projects aiming to connect a divided community.
Their mission is to share hope, love and leadership, to support their vision for a thriving, inclusive and confident East Belfast.
Lianne Mulholland from East Belfast Mission said that the group are extremely grateful for Whitemountain’s support for this vital project.
"By opening a brand new accessible space for a community fridge and a mental health hub we will be helping responding directly to two real and tangible needs faced by our community: food poverty and the need for mental health support," she said.
"We are here to help anyone who needs us and thanks to this funding we provide people in our community with the building blocks they need to transform their lives through difficulties they are facing.”
Since its beginnings in 2008, the Whitemountain Programme has distributed almost £9 million of funding to 260 fantastic community and biodiversity projects. This funding helps groups to achieve their plans for positive change in their community.
Sophie Steele, Project Assistant at Groundwork Northern Ireland added: "Research has shown that mental health issues and lack of access to services and support is a leading cause of homelessness.
"Groundwork is delighted to support East Belfast Mission in their goal to provide accessible mental health services to those most in need, and essential services, in response to the current cost of living crisis."
Edward Kearney from the Whitemountain Programme said "We are delighted that through the Whitemountain Programme, we can enable community organisations to respond to ongoing and current issues affecting individuals and communities in Northern Ireland.
"East Belfast Mission have pinpointed two specific needs within the local community and we hope this funding allows them to address these needs."
If you have a great community or biodiversity focused project which lies within the 15 mile radius of Mullaghglass landfill site near Lisburn (and within 10 miles of a licensed landfill site), then why not apply?
Applications to the Whitemountain Programme are open. To find out more information email whitemountainprogramme@groundworkni.co.uk
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