Ambassador’s role for local woman Melissa

Business manager Melissa McAlister is already a familiar face in the area after volunteering at a host of good causes over the last number of years.

Melissa, who has held her current position at Halifax’s Belfast Donegall Square North branch since April, said she was thrilled to be given the chance to make a difference to the lives of those around her.

Halifax has handpicked 70 members of staff from up and down the country who were selected for their love of helping people and wanting to bring about change in their lives.

As well as continuing with their day-to-day jobs, the Community Ambassadors galvanise people to embrace and take part in the good causes Halifax already supports through the Big Lunch, Giving Extra Awards, and Home-Start volunteering as well as looking at new areas to make a difference.

“I had already done a lot of community stuff outside of work and so I was put forward for the role with that in mind,” said Melissa, 37.

“I volunteer at a children’s hospice in Belfast as well as at Carrickfergus Community Church.

“We have been doing lots of different things as a branch this year like Tea and Talk afternoon. So much of the time people rush into the branch, do what they need to do and rush out again, but people who didn’t know each other were all sitting around talking.”

To find out more about how Halifax are helping people to go the extra mile in their community, visit www.halifaxcommunities.co.uk