Habitat Ireland and Dougies Goodies hammer out a deal to support employment through skills and confidence-building

Habitat for Humanity Ireland and Ballymena bakery Dougies Goodies are working together to support local people into permanent employment.

Habitat ReStore, the charity’s social enterprise, is the low-cost DIY store that builds sustainable community and directly tackles poverty locally. By selling new and used building and home improvement materials ReStore helps local people to improve their homes at low cost and diverted more than 1,600 tons of reusable waste from landfill last year. 

ReStore also provides skills and employability training and is focused on providing a clear pathway to employment for individuals of all backgrounds and abilities including many considered “hard to reach” with learning difficulties, mental health challenges, offending histories or long-term unemployment.

placeholder image — Adam and Emily have now secured permanent employment in Dougies Ballymena premises. Pictured is Isobel Kerr, ReStore Ballymena manager, Adam Harkin, Frank Warwick, owner of Dougies Goodies, Lucy Carlile, Dougies Goodies business development and HR, Matt Robinson, ReStore volunteer coordinator and Emily Robinson

'It is very pleasing to see'... £300million boost for Northern Ireland SMEs as B...

ReStore Ballymena manager, Isobel Kerr said: “The opportunity to partner with Dougies Goodies has enabled ReStore to create more opportunities for volunteers to transition into permanent employment. Partnerships like these will deepen the impacts of our OCN-accredited training and enable more local people to gain valuable skills and experience.”

Lucy Carlile, business development and HR at Dougies Goodies explained: “When we were first introduced to Adam and Emily we knew they’d be a great fit for our business, and we’re absolutely delighted to have them as part of our amazing and growing team.”

Now, thanks to this partnership, two local people have secured permanent employment at Dougies Goodies. Adam and Emily have both volunteered at ReStore Ballymena for several years, with a combined 3,500 hours.

Emily added: "I’m really excited to start my new job at Dougies. All my volunteering at ReStore has helped me to learn new skills and become more confident, so I feel ready to try something new and can’t wait to get started.

"This whole experience has been me feel like I have a purpose and I can't wait to keep learning and growing at Dougies."