Newry, Mourne & Down Council

Newry Mourne & Down District Council investment for 2023/24 provided funding for 7 community groups through the Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme:

Castlewellan Regeneration Ltd project has given a lifeline to the Men's Shed enabling them to be involved in Gardening/planting/ environmental projects. The project enables them to gain new transferable skills and the formation of friendships in a society where many older people live in social and rural isolation. The project benefits wellbeing and active citizenship. Funding provided a small green house, outdoor seating,  gardening tools, gloves, seedlings, trays, compost, and information materials on growing fruit/veg etc. to enable those taking part to grow their own flowers and veg. 

Mayobridge Men’s Shed transformed an underused area of land into an accessible community space with allotments, community garden and polytunnel to encourage members of the community to work together to learn new horticulture skills and develop a community garden and social farm for the residents of our small rural village.

Lislea Men’s Shed project GREEN ENTERPRISES contributes to the Lislea community wellbeing by refurbishing neglected planters and developing new sustainable community garden areas within Lislea village. It also creates and improves pollinator-friendly habitats in the community and encourages gardening for children.

Killeavy Men’s Shed developed some green space into a community garden. They enhanced the space by preparing the land and establishing a garden, including some raised beds allowing the community to come together to plant shrubs and vegetables and encourage them to eat more healthily.

ACE (Annalong Community Empowerment) project received funding for trees, seats and bird boxes. People of all ages are expressing their gratitude and pride in how their area is improving and the local school are now involved. Elderly and disabled residents can enjoy the outdoors.

Kingdom Men’s Shed developed and refreshed their Secret Garden and allotment spaces by planting new fruit bushes and trees along with fruit and vegetable plants to share amongst members and the local community. Kingdom Men's Shed provides a lifeline to many isolated older men from the Mournes. The allotment and garden space is well used and maintained by our team of hardworking men.

PTFA ST Patricks Primary School Saul received funding for a polytunnel, sleepers, seed trays, vegetable plants and flower seeds to grow vegetables and flowers. Having these areas develop together reinforces the connection between pollination for growing food and ultimately how this helps the Earth ecosystems. This project has brought more than expected the joy of different groups within the community sharing in a common interest. Learning has increased around the impact of decisions on nature and the much needed pollinators. Many households have now made small changes to help benefit the environment. The young are learning about how to grow food and the importance of environmental issues.