The need for low cost home improvement materials is needed now more than ever. It will come as welcome news for many local families to know that Habitat Restore Ballymena has reopened it’s doors.
Habitat ReStore Ballymena delivers real impacts for local people and the wider community; helping families improve their homes at low cost prices, supporting people of different abilities and backgrounds to learn new skills and diverting tonnes of reusable waste from landfill.
As the organisation focuses on ensuring continued access to low cost home improvement and DIY materials, it’s priority is the safety of customers, donors, staff and volunteers.
In order to keep everybody safe ReStores are operating with new guidelines for social distancing, additional hygiene measures and appropriate PPE items for staff and volunteers.
This includes an information station at the entrance for advice, hand sanitiser and limited customer numbers in store.
Isobel Kerr, ReStore Manager said: “We are thankful for the commitment of donors and the hands-on-help of many volunteers in ReStore. The economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis will continue to be felt and the need for low cost alternatives is growing.’
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the extent of the global housing crisis and the vital importance of safe homes.
“Home has rarely been more of a life or death situation,” - Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing.
While ReStore was closed to the public, Habitat continued to work in partnership with WomensAid, St. Vincent de Paul and local churches to provide support for the most vulnerable people in our community.
ReStore also supports Habitat partner programmes in the world’s poorest communities where Habitat is implementing immediate COVID responses to help families stay safe.
ReStore is part of the story which helps build a world where everyone has something to give and something to gain. A world where we care for each other, where we recognise that we are all connected, and where we come together in times of crisis — and stay together when the urgency has lifted – to continue to work for a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗮! ♥️
(The video below produced by BBC Northern Ireland, will give you a glimpse into the work of Habitat Restore)