A new space for women and their families is set to be developed in west Belfast.

The Shankill Shared Women's Centre was announced late last week ahead of International Women's Day, Sunday 08 March.

Located at Lanark Way, the development will be a welcoming, safe and accessible shared space for women and their families from both communities. The team who operate the current premises on Shankill Road will work in partnership with Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership incorporating Clonard Women's Group at the new facility to deliver a range of services.

This €6.5 million project is being brought forward with funding through the EU's PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) with match-funding provided by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

Speaking ahead of a ceremony to officially launch the project, Lord Mayor, Councillor Daniel Baker, said: "It is extremely fitting that we're launching this amazing new cross community facility for women and their families ahead of this year's International Women's Day.

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"One of the key priorities in the Belfast Agenda, the city's long-term community plan, is to make life better for all our residents by improving our neighbourhoods, supporting and caring for people who face multiple challenges and improving community relations. For the communities in this part of Belfast, this facility will make a huge contribution, so it is to be warmly welcomed by all." 

This cross-community project was welcomed by the Shankill Women's Centre and Clonard Women's Group as they prepare for a new chapter together.

Veronica Brown from Clonard Women's Group commented: "This purpose-built new building will make a big difference to the individuals and groups that we support and I hope that this new venture will go from strength to strength in the years ahead.

"We look forward to growing in partnership with the team from Shankill Women's Centre, supporting many more women and their families from both communities in order to build a positive future together."

Director of Regeneration for Belfast at the Department for Communities, Mark O'Donnell, added: "The investment will not only see the creation of a unique shared space developed on a cross community basis but also the transformation of a derelict site.

"The project represents an excellent opportunity to build on the work carried out by the Shankill Women's Centre since 1987. Since then the centre has grown in success and popularity, offering women from the Shankill, Clonard and surrounding areas many opportunities in health and education.

"Having outgrown your current premises this state of the art centre will provide a new space to provide increased opportunities for 'meaningful, purposeful and sustained' contact between women, children and young people from both sides of the interface area."

(CM/MH)