Sixth Form Volunteers from Ulidia Integrated College have rolled up their sleeves to support a new community building partnership between Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland and St Michael’s Church of Ireland Parish, off the Shankill Road, which 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 ChangeMakers Programme which explores social justice and active citizenship with 16 -18 year olds, including those from Ulidia Integrated College. Work is closely supervised by trained professionals and includes cleaning, sanding, painting and basic construction.

Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat NI, said: “We very much appreciate the commitment of the volunteers from Ulidia Integrated College. 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. In our experience, when volunteers from different backgrounds engage in practical projects, like this one, meaningful relationships are developed based on understanding.