We spent a morning volunteering at Hydebank Wood community gardens as part of Business in the Community’s Get Diggin’ initiative.

William Drennan, an Apprentice Joiner was on hand with General Operative, Alex Catney, who both currently work on our Little Patrick Street student accommodation project.

The duo were busy weeding, watering, seed sowing and clearing ground on the site of Hydebank Wood College and Women's Prison.

Young offenders and prisoners reaching the end of their sentences maintain the garden to gain qualifications and skills ahead of release, but it can also be accessed by members of the public. It is a partnership between Groundwork, the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland.

Get Diggin’ is taking place as part of National Allotment Week between August 12- 16, giving businesses and organisations opportunities to provide volunteers to community gardens and allotments. It is designed to encourage teambuilding, develop skills and engage with local communities.

Amy McBride, Assistant Community Benefit Advisor, said:

“Get Diggin’ is a fantastic initiative and we are very pleased to have been involved. The team had a great day, sharing skills whilst also learning some new ones. We are proud to support local communities around our building projects and look forward to working in partnership with Business in the Community in the future.”

Little Patrick Street

Little Patrick Street is located in the centre of Belfast’s University Quarter. The new build student accommodation will comprise of 430 student beds in a mixture of cluster beds and studios arranged over 12 floors. The accommodation will also include a common room, study rooms and outside courtyards.