The new venue will be home to The SLATE Project, which aims to offer an alternative to homelessness for young people aged 16-25 years who have support needs and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

The launch was attended by special guests Orfhlaith Begley MP for the West Tyrone constituency, Mr John McMullan Vice Chair of the NIHE and Mr Errol Thompson Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. 

Eleanor Evans, Shelter NI Chair gave the opening speech, thanking the organisations that assisted with the project: “We were able to take advantage of the new Provider Investment Fund sponsored by Supporting People. With their assistance, we obtained more than £46k from the PIF to renovate and modernise this property. I wish to record our gratitude to John McMullan and the NIHE team for their sterling efforts in getting us to this point.”

Eleanor also paid tribute to Shelter NI staff “I am also proud of the staff team, who provide an important service to often very vulnerable young people here, working with them to help them get the best out of themselves. And during this pandemic, the staff has responded and done sterling work in the most challenging environment.”

Following speeches from Eleanor, Orfhlaith Begley MP, Stella Le Poidevin (Area Manager) and John McMullan, the venue was formally opened by Orfhlaith Begley MP.