An event has been held to mark the beginning of construction on the new Shankill Shared Women's Centre in Belfast.

Coinciding with International Women's Day 2022, work has got underway on the €6.5 million EU-funded centre which will serve as the new home for Shankill Women's Centre and be shared with Clonard Women's Group.

Speaking at the event today, 08 March, Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Kate Nicholl, said: "This will be an incredible new asset for the local community when it opens. It will provide education, training, health awareness, childcare and a range of other activities for women and their families in a welcoming, safe and comfortable environment.

"Almost two years to the day after officially announcing details of the project, it is great to see work now getting underway. It is also extremely fitting that it coincides with International Women's Day. As well as acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of this area, the new shared facilities will bring communities together so that they can build a positive future together. I wish them every success in the future."

Betty Carlisle MBE, Manager of the Shankill Women's Centre, commented: "After many long years of hard work, I'm delighted that this day has finally arrived! I am both excited and slightly nervous that this new build has at last become a reality.

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"I'm absolutely delighted to be going forward with this new venture for Shankill Women's Centre. I'd like to thank all my staff for their support and especially Lesley- Anne Kinnon who has been my sidekick and my rock throughout this process. This project will enable us to expand and create new services for all women in Belfast and beyond!"

The Belfast City Council-led project is being funded 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.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "Having outgrown their current premises this state-of-the-art centre will provide a new shared space to generate increased opportunities for 'meaningful, purposeful and sustained' contact between women, children and young people from Shankill, Clonard and beyond.

"My Department has made a significant contribution to this project both in terms of providing the match funding and by transferring ownership of the land for the new building to the project promoters. I am delighted that such positive use is being made of the site at what has historically been an interface area. 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. I am looking forward to seeing the project when it is complete."

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, added: "I am delighted to see that construction has started on the Shankill Women's Centre project. I look forward to seeing the transformation of this site into the first regional shared space for women and their families. We all know that communities that come together and participate in education, health and wellbeing and youth development programmes develop strong social bonds and build relationships that lead to happier, safer and stronger communities. This project will facilitate 'meaningful, purposeful and sustained' contact between women, children and young people that are currently living in a polarised and disadvantaged interface area.

"I want to congratulate Belfast City Council and their partners Shankill Women's Centre; Clonard Neighbourhood Development Partnership incorporating Clonard Women's Group, for all their hard work and dedication in bringing the project to this point, it is a credit to all involved. My Department is looking forward to working with all parties to ensure the successful delivery of this crucial project."