Mid & East Antrim Council

Mid & East Antrim Council investment for 2023/24 provided funding for 9 projects through the Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme:

Braidside Integrated Primary & Nursery School received funding for sensory plants, tools, seeds and materials to create a community wood for both children and community to enjoy.

The project improved biodiversity and helped greatly with the mental health and wellbeing of all involved; children, staff, and those from our wider school community.

Simon Community NI improved the back yard of the project to provide clients with a space that promotes wellbeing, relaxation, and connection with others. The installation of raised beds offer clients the opportunity to grow their own food, thereby enabling them to learn new skills and develop their confidence - both essential for preparing them for independent living.

Carrickfergus Community Church used funding to green up a grey carpark and introduce an ecosystem. The project created space for group participants to enjoy the plants and engage in planning, planting and maintaining the area. The wellbeing benefits all the members through taking care of the space, volunteering to take care of the plants. It gets people outside more and increases their sense of worth and belonging. Restoring the growing space contributes to nature recovery, brightens up the area and give participants a sense of ownership and pride with their ongoing input.

Friends of Partytime Garden project delivered ground breaking training for young people who are at risk of ending up in prison. Participants are literally encouraged to break new ground as they tend to the community garden and learn more about the environment, conservation and citizenship. The Conviction to Conservation project provides a range of conservation themed practical and educational diversionary activities for young people who have either entered or are at risk of entering the youth justice system, becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or feel socially excluded.

Playaway Playgroup were funded for a summer house to use as a potting shed and place of quiet reflection for the children. Garden tools, plants for pollinators, fruit bushes and storage enabled the children to get outdoors and experience the natural environment. They dig and plant in the soil and have group planting sessions. Positive feedback from parents relates to the childrens enjoyment and education from being outside, and engaged in the garden.

Raloo Rural, Cultural & Educational Group project transformed an unused space into a vibrant and valued community place resulting in a cleaner, greener and safer environment, improving the health and wellbeing of the local community. The project provided space for activities that the group and local people could become involved in and enjoy.

County Antrim and Derry Country Fiddlers Association created a Community Garden to give back to the community. By creating a quality, shared space with specific attention to native, wildlife friendly species, they have brought life back to a much underused area. Planting a small orchard with self-pollinating fruit trees and pollinator friendly beds encourages wildlife into the area with habitat improvement through suitable native shrubbery. All weather seating and a kitchen herb makes the space viable and more inviting for community use.

Whitehead Community Association created an area at the Beach Road Nature Reserve for children and families to learn about growing their own food. Childrens gardening sets enabled the volunteers to engage and educate in their green space.

Woodlawn Primary School created a community growing and gardening project with shared community allotments. The intergenerational project connects schools and local communities to forge links through a collaborative gardening project. Funding was used for a polytunnel, vegetable area and a pollinator friendly which benefits the elderly residents of Woodburn estate which is an area of social deprivation.