We are celebrating our third year in partnership with NI charity Belfast Central Mission (BCM) to help fund one of its Supported Housing projects for young people in East Belfast.
Our relationship has already seen us donate £50,000 in its first two years while in 2022 we will pledge a further £25,000.
These funds cover the salary of a full-time support worker who will provide those who benefit from this campaign with bespoke one-to-one support and an aftercare programme.
The organisation welcomed Joanna Greenaway to the post in 2020 where she excelled. Having since moved on to a different position, her colleague Stephen Grieve has stepped into the Support Worker job for this final year of our partnership.
Founded in 1889, Belfast Central Mission (BCM) was originally a local Christian response to social problems in inner-city Belfast. Today it has evolved to offer its invaluable support to disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, children, families and older people throughout Northern Ireland.
Our third year working with BCM will support the charity’s work to help young, disadvantaged people, including the recruitment of Stephen to the charity’s Supported Housing Project in East Belfast in 2022.
Mr Grieve will be instrumental in carrying out the charity’s mission through the Supported Housing project. This specific scheme guides 16- to 21-year-olds who have been in the care of the HSCT, through the transition of leaving the care system or homelessness and preparing them to live more independently.
It also aims to equip service users with the skill set and motivation to progress in life, with the overall aim to break the cycle of homelessness, which is often more prevalent in this younger demographic.
Nathan Catterson, BCM Project Manager, said:
“We are delighted to have Hagan Homes support us for a third year. The support over the past two years has made a tangible difference to our services and will, again, enable us to work more creatively and flexibly with our residents, the benefits of which will be felt by some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in our society.
“During the current climate, more than ever, support from third parties is integral for the survival of any charity and this partnership continuing into a third year is very much welcomed.
“We wish to welcome Stephen to the team and look forward to supporting many more young people through our Supported Housing Project.”
Support Worker, Stephen Grieve, added: “I am delighted to take up this post and support those we help to break a cycle of homelessness, empowering them with independence and motivation.”
Jim Burke, Director of Sales and Acquisitions, Hagan Homes, said: “They say ‘home is where the heart is’ and for us this expression is embedded in our culture. We do all we can to put the heart into local communities and support charities with a similar drive and Belfast Central Mission is one organisation that resonates with that principle.
“Being able to fund a care worker for the Supported Housing project for a third year running is not only humbling but it’s a charitable partnership that allows us to see the true impact of the commitment. We wish Stephen every success carrying out the admirable work that BCM does.”
