‘Do It Herself’ success helps transform Veterans Support Group premises
Friday 29 May 2026
MEA Labour Market Partnerships ‘Do It Herself’ programme has been successfully completed by 11 women as part of the 2025/26 Action Plan delivery.
Combining practical skills training with hands-on experience, the programme allowed participants to learn and practice onsite while helping redecorate the new premises of The Veterans Support Group Ballymena. The 10-week programme was delivered by Building It Better NI.
Funded by Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for Council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford praised the initiative and its participants.
“It is fantastic that the participants of the Do It Herself programme got to work in an actual building as opposed to mobile walls and temporary structures,” he said.
“The attention to detail shown in the work carried out at The Veterans Support Group premises showcases the natural talent of the participants, which has been brought to the fore through excellent training.
“I would like to thank Sarah McKiernan and Michelle Spence of Building It Better NI for the time and commitment dedicated to this programme. What has been created at the new Church Street premises provides a welcoming environment for our local veterans to socialise and receive therapy.”
The real-life experience of working on-site enabled participants to develop practical problem-solving skills while completing a range of redecorating tasks, including painting, panelling, shelving and wallpapering.
For more information about the Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership and its programmes, email: lmp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk