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BY CONOR [email protected]@belfastmediagroup.com
THE journey of Love WorksCooperative “started before itexisted”. Based at the Macrory
Centre in Duncairn Gardens,the cooperative has grown outof small grant-funded projectsthat created opportunities forvoluntary community service.Their vision is to transform
the local community throughequipping and empoweringlocal young men with skillsand attitudes that will helpthem to grow meaningful andhealthy relationships withthemselves and the widercommunity.Project leader and founding
member Richard Higginsonexplained more about the LoveWorks Cooperative: “Thejourney started before itexisted. I was working as afreelance project worker onbehalf of Fortwilliam andMacrory church.“I was interested in creating
accessible work opportunitiesthat brought people togetherthrough hands-on work.“We started with a
community garden and bikerepair project, run with help ofvolunteers. Now a workers’cooperative, we have an open-door policy whereby anyonecan volunteer with us for up tothree months as a volunteer
Love really works at co-opto help young men develop
OPPORTUNITIES: Project leader and founding member of LoveWorks Cooperative, Richard Higginson
Historic Poor House marking acentury of Christmas tradition
12 | North Belfast News 23 December 2017
before becoming a member.”Love Works Cooperative
specifically targets young menbetween the ages of 18 and 35,focusing on tackling pressingissues in the local NorthBelfast area.“Our project is aimed at
people who have troubledpasts, such as homelessness,addictions or crime.“We want to try and address
unemployment, mental healthand alcohol and drug addictionby creating accessible workand a relationship supportnetwork.“The Duncairn area of
North Belfast is an area ofgreat need with high levels ofunemployment, criminal
activity, drug and alcoholabuse and sectarianism. In thearea, there is a high rate ofearly school leavers resultingin low educationalachievement, low employmentrates and low self-esteem.“There is need for young
men to have opportunitieswithin their community wherethey feel valued as an equalfrom the moment they step inthe door in a safe space forthem to develop a sense ofvalue, acceptance, ownershipand responsibility forthemselves, their team andtheir community.“We hope to inspire and help
restore passion and pride inlocal artisan production and
the sense of being part of awider family.“The ethos of what Love
Works is inspired by the factlove is a valuable currency inour relationships.”Love Works is based on
three core strands: bread,bikes and garden, which haveappealed to the young men inthe local communitysurrounding the church asthey are tangible, practical andgive a good sense of worksatisfaction.“Bread is hand-crafted from
start to finish, using organicingredients, based on a weeklydemand from residents ofNorth Belfast and sales inBallyclare,” added Richard.“For bike repair, Love Works
Cooperative operates both arepairs service as well asrefurbishment of unwantedbikes, which are sold online.Training courses in bike repairand maintenance are provided.“The gardening service
offers everything from ageneral tidy-up to a completeoverhaul, giving you theperfect inspiration for yourgarden or yard.”If you want to get involved in
Love Works Cooperative as amember, partner, donor or acustomer visit Love WorksCooperative at the MacroryCentre, 130 Duncairn Gardens,or if you prefer you can goonline at www.loveworkscoop.com
BY EVAN SHORT @[email protected]
THE history of the old BelfastPoor House on Clifton Street hasbeen commemorated through aspecial Christmas event thatcelebrated an act of charity over100 years old.George Benn was a renowned
philanthropist who eachChristmas would donate £1,000to provide a dinner for thedestitute families in thebuilding which now houses anursing home. And to rememberGeorge’s gift, the currentmanagement donated the sameamount to provide residentswith a turkey dinner and a smallgift, delivered by Santa. Thesoundtrack to the event wasprovided by the Trinity CollegeChoir.Una McAuley, Chair of the
Clifton Care Home Committee,said it was a fitting way to markthe 135th anniversary of thehistoric building.“We’re only too happy to
continue to observe thiswonderful tradition everyDecember,” she said. “The Benndinner event is all about ourresidents. We gather everyonetogether to enjoy someChristmas cheer, entertainment,a small Christmas gift fromSanta and a delicious Christmas
dinner – that’s what Christmasis all about after all.”George Benn died in 1882
having made his name throughhis book, A History of the Townof Belfast. In his will he left theBelfast Charitable Societymonies to provide a Christmasdinner for the residents of theHouse, stating: “this sum shall
forever be applied to providingfor the poor inmates of the saidPoor House with a dinner orother entertainment at everyChristmas.’Una said it was a nice way to
link to the past.“The Benn Dinner is very
special to the residents of CliftonHouse Residential Home. Every
year it is how we celebrateChristmas with our residents aswell as being mindful of themany years that have gonebefore. The Benn dinner bringsmuch happiness to our Homeand it will undoubtedly beobserved by Clifton HouseResidential Home for manyyears to come.”
Jackie McNally (left) and John Uprichard receiving gifts from Santa Claus before enjoying theirChristmas lunch