The funding will enable students from the Dirty Weekenders Society to get their hands dirty as they deliver an 18 month-long programme of conservation activities that will bring benefits to both the local community and the neighbouring surroundings. The participants will work in partnership with a number of organisations including QUB, Conservation Volunteers NI, Mourne Heritage Trust, City Church Belfast and Grow it Yourself to take part in conservation activities including hedge pruning, pathway maintenance, litter clean-ups, vegetable growing and composting. 

The practical activities will be delivered alongside an education programme which aims to raise awareness of the importance of conservation and the natural environment. A series of seminars and walks will be held, a new website developed and an Eco News supplement produced for inclusion in the student newspaper. The participants will also work with other university societies and its Environmental Champion programme, which is seeking to maximise the green credentials of QUB.

Funding for the project was awarded through HLF’s Your Heritage programme which provides grants of up to £50,000 for projects that explore, record and conserve all aspects of our local, regional or national heritage. 

Announcing the award, Head of HLF Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, said: “This grant award shows how a small amount of money can be put to excellent use to bring benefits to both local people and communities. The volunteers taking part in this project will gain a host of new heritage skills and conservation knowledge whilst helping to care for and protect our natural environment and we are delighted to be involved.”

Welcoming the news, Christopher Graham, Society President from QUB’s Dirty Weekenders Society, added: “Members of the society are very excited about the injection of money. Our success will allow us as a society to become more involved with the student body and allow us to plan bigger activities in which we can attract more students to get involved. ”

HLF has a range of programmes to support heritage-based projects both large and small, and since 1994 has awarded £146million to projects across Northern Ireland. 

Further information

Contact Robert Smith, HLF Press Office, on 020 7591 6245 or email roberts@hlf.org.uk.