The Housing Executive has supported a north Belfast charity with £25,000 of funding.

Based at Alliance Avenue, Grace Women's Development used the funding to hire a family support worker.

Grace Women's Development aims to provide the best possible start for people in terms of their health, wellbeing and life chances.

The Housing Executive grant is funding the part-time family support worker over two years under its Sustaining Tenancies Grant Funding Programme, which helps vulnerable customers who are at a greater risk of tenancy breakdown.

The local charity is now working with over 200 people in Ardoyne, they offer one to one advice clinics and workshops on health eating, mental health, budgeting, managing your home, housing rights and benefits. Grace Women's Development is also creating personal development and family support plans for up to 60 people

Sally Smyth, Grace Women's Development Director, said: "We were delighted to receive this funding from the Housing Executive, which is a fantastic help with the work that we do.

"Our two year project began in May 2022 and we are getting hugely positive feedback from tenants.

"The grant is being used to employ a family support worker which means we can expand and enhance our existing services for families in Ardoyne and surrounding areas of north and west Belfast and we now cater for larger numbers of tenants, thanks to the Housing Executive's generous support.

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"Before we received this grant our family support service was operating on a shoestring budget and we relied heavily on the dedication and support of volunteers, who continue to help us.

"Our participants are not only more confident but have greatly enhanced self-esteem. We firmly believe that our support enables them to live healthier, happier and more productive lives.

"In turn, this enables them to manage their homes more efficiently and effectively and encourages sustaining their tenancies not only in the short term but in the long term as well."

Gerard Flynn, the Housing Executive's North Belfast Area Manager, said: "Our staff have been able to use links with Grace to improve relationships with tenants and together we are working towards creating a better environment for all.

"We want people to have resilient, sustainable tenancies in the short, medium and long term and we’re working together with many local groups to improve the lives of our tenants.

"We believe that indirectly over 800 people could benefit from this investment including family members connected to the people involved in Grace’s family support programmes.

"By giving them the right information, practical skills and resources we are providing people with a platform to live healthier and happier lives, and to also positively influence their family members, neighbours, colleagues and classmates as they share ideas and advice with each other.

"This scheme has been very successful in helping our young tenants and we are delighted with the outcomes."

Emma Geddis, from the Housing Executive's Sustaining Tenancies Funding Programme, stated: "We are delighted to have been able to provide funding to support the worthwhile work that Grace Women’s Development do.

"The range of services that they tirelessly provide for tenants is a credit to Sally and her team.

"The outcomes for the project have been really positive to date and are making a real impact on the lives of tenants and their families in Ardoyne and the surrounding areas."