Northern Ireland housebuilder Hagan Homes has pledged its support to local charity Belfast Central Mission (BCM) for the third year running.

Over the span of this partnership, Hagan Homes has donated £50,000, with a further £25,000 pledged in 2022.

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.

Funding from Hagan Homes covers 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 the partnership.

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Hagan Homes' 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."