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A Belfast group working to turn a rundown church into a community hub have been given a major boost.

Member of Sailortown Regeneration Group have been working tirelessly to save St Joseph’s Church, in the historic docks area of inner north Belfast .

Now the community group is one of six celebrating today after receiving a share of over £700,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to improve people’s lives.

They have received a £184,928 grant to help turn the rundown church into a community hub, which will be used to bring people together and help rejuvenate the community.

Pat Benson, Chair of Sailortown Regeneration Group , said: "We are delighted that the National Lottery Community Fund are supporting us in our work to bring the historic docks area back to life. There are no community facilities at the moment so having a place where past and present residents can come together will make a huge difference.

"This funding means we can keep a historic building in community ownership and that it can be used for people led regeneration in Belfast. We're really looking forward to opening the doors of St Joseph's again after almost 20 years of campaigning."

Once home to more than 5,000 people on cobblestone streets off York Street, the enclave survived the Blitz but was largely demolished to make way for the M2 and other development.

Sailortown Regeneration Group has long worked towards bringing St Joseph’s Church, which was deconsecrated in 2001, into community use.

Now the National Lottery funding is being used for essential maintenance on the church including roof flashing, heating and toilets, to make it safe and suitable for community activities.

The money is also being used over two years to employ staff to coordinate the renovation and set up a programme of community activities in the hub, including a parent and toddlers group, young people’s creative art, parents/grandparents meet ups, older people activities, ex-seamen’s sessions and social events.

The group is also setting up a plan to develop the building further and fully refurbish it as part of a wider strategic plan for the area.

Also receiving funding is SOS NI, who for 11 years have run a welfare and medical care service on weekend nights and special events, including tomorrow night’s A Level results celebrations, to support vulnerable people on the streets of Belfast city centre.

SOS NI, which operate from their mobile bus hubs, have now been awarded a £199,785 grant to develop their work over three years.

They will use the money to expand their services, including offering crisis support for people who are at risk and referring people to longer term care and support. They support people affected by homelessness, mental illness, addiction and other issues.

Volunteers will be given in-depth training on issues including suicide prevention, safe-guarding children and adults, drugs awareness, first aid, and training from the PSNI on issues around sexual assault and human trafficking. The project will also strengthen existing relationships and establish new ones with public bodies and community organisations to share learning and resources.

Joanne McQuillan, SOS NI Director , said: "I’m absolutely delighted that we have been granted three years funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. Our current welfare programme is focused on providing crisis intervention for vulnerable people, meeting them at their point of need to make sure that they get home or to a place of safety.

"Our volunteers, clients and partners identified the need for this new project which will allow us to develop new strategic relationships and signposting options for vulnerable people who need to access to further support.

"Training for our volunteers is really important. We currently have 220 trained SOS NI volunteers who give over 18,000 hours each year to care for anyone who is in need, reducing pressure on our emergency services. We believe that no one should be alone in searching for support - we love Belfast and know that volunteering and caring for vulnerable people in our community makes the city safer and better for everyone."

The other groups sharing the £727,496 of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund are Friends of Antrim Castle Gardens, Drumragh Evergreen Senior Citizens Club, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Davina’s Ark.

Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland Director, said: "I am delighted to announce these grants today. The money is being used for everything from this community hub in Belfast’s Sailortown, through to support for people affected by addiction and café style meet ups for people with Multiple Sclerosis. It’s great to see National Lottery money being used by people who are taking the lead in developing great ideas to help their communities thrive.

"This year we’re celebrating the 25 birthday of the National Lottery, and I want to thank all the National Lottery players who have helped make work like this possible."

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