Making Belfast Work - Examples of Projects

This project received £260,000 over 3 years from the Making Belfast Work initiative, through the Department for Employment and Learning. It provided the unemployed, particularly the long-term unemployed, with a co-ordinated and effective network of employment related support services. Through these services participants are re-engaged with the employment market, resulting in them and their families benefiting from the growing economic prosperity in South Belfast area.

These schemes received a total of £1,187,000 through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to produce a modernised rationalised shopping centre which will contribute directly to a better and more pleasant environment for Rathcoole residents to live in and shop at. The project served to address the anti-social behaviour in the area, improve the environmental amenities and stabilise the trading viability of the shops.

Engage With Age is a consortium of voluntary, community and statutory organisations established to develop new ways of working with older people in areas of deprivation within south and east Belfast. The project, sponsored by the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety, aims to improve the health and well-being of such people by including them in a range of social, educational and physical activities. The scheme was awarded £342,000 under the Making Belfast Work initiative.

This project provided a multi-purpose accommodation facility with up to 50 beds and conference and study facilities, creating employment and contributing in a positive way to the regeneration of west Belfast. It also provided an opportunity for training for the hotel/catering industry in partnership with a training organisation. Around £700,000 was contributed from the Making Belfast Work initiative through the Department for Social Development sponsorship.

Initially a 3-year project, to develop a partnership in mental health support for people who do not require professional help within statutory provision.  It involves a small team of community health workers working in partnership with 2 local GPs and key health care professionals. Together they provide practical help and support to people who may be vulnerable to mental ill health, to enable them to access community based initiatives. The Making Belfast Work initiative, through the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety, contributed £198,000 to this scheme.