The Belfast Resource Centre will be turned into Sense Hub Belfast to “become a thriving community space for people with complex disabilities, and their families, to mee, learn and tr new things”.

Under the plans the MS Society will continue to provide services for those with multiple sclerosis at the site.

Sense has secured around £500,000 in investment from trusts and foundations to convert the centre., which aims to support more than 1,000 people by 2026.

A focus of the new site will be to tackle loneliness among disabled people.

Sense research has found that more than two thirds of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland feel lonely. Four in five say they face difficulties socialising.

There are 52,000 people with complex disabilities in Northern Ireland, with one in five based in Belfast.

The MS Society had run the centre in the city since 1998.

Sense chief executive Richard Kramer said the charity aims to create “an inclusive and dynamic centre, where disabled people and their families can meet and share new experiences, supported by specialist staff”.

“Based in the heart of the community, with access to local shops, outdoor spaces, pubs and cafes, the hub promises to have a wider impact, bringing disabled and non-disabled people together and bringing down loneliness,” he said.

“We’re really excited to be working with MS Society, who will continue to deliver services from the site for people affected by MS. We’re looking forward to collaborating with them on ways to maximise our reach within the local communities.”

MS Society Northern Ireland director Stewart Finn added: “The centre will be extensively refurbished to create modern, purpose-built spaces that both communities can use and enjoy for years to come.

“We know how important it is to people with MS and so we’re pleased to say the services and activities – including counselling, Pilates, yoga and physio – will be staying the same.”

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