More than £180,000 is to be invested in the regeneration of Belfast's historic docks from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The Sailortown Regeneration Group has received a £184,928 grant to help turn the rundown St Joseph's Church in Sailortown into a community hub, which will be used to bring people together and help rejuvenate the community.

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.


Chair of Sailortown Regeneration Group, Pat Benson, who was born and grew up in the area, 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."

This funding is part of a larger pot of money, totalling £727,496, which is being shared between six groups, including Friends of Antrim Castle Gardens, SOS NI, 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 25th birthday of the National Lottery, and I want to thank all the National Lottery players who have helped make work like this possible."

(MH/CM)