Northern Allotments

Northern Allotments Project: Community Growing and Connection

The Northern allotments project supports a wide range of Community Growing spaces such as allotments and community gardens in the Northern locality. The project has been thriving through diverse community engagements across multiple sites and groups. From women and children to veterans and seniors, we’ve created meaningful growing experiences.

In October, Women’s Aid Ballymena’s mums and kids toured the Scullery O’Tullagh site exploring and getting hands-on with gardening. November saw us supporting multiple community initiatives: hosting an information table at the Veterans Support Group Ballymena’s Health Fayre where over 50 attendees received fresh vegetables and soup-making instructions. The GWNI Team have facilitated winter planting workshops at Harryville Men’s Shed, and have delivered a creative workshop for Braidwater Seniors that combined decoupage art with planting spring bulbs.

We have expanded our community partnerships significantly.  The Cedar Foundation’s, Carrickfergus have a garden in the Eden Allotments that we have been assisting in rejuvenating. The team have assisted with tree trimming, grass cutting, and spring bulb planting. Ongoing support for the gardens and growing spaces continues for groups like the Causeway Coast Down Syndrome Group’s ‘Garden of Eatin’, Cullybackey Community Association, and the Loughan EOTAS Centre.

Our engagement has extended to larger community events, including Choice Housing Association’s Community Decision Day, where we connected with over 100 people about the health and well-being benefits of allotment participation. Other housing associations such as Triangle, Choice & Radius Housing through the Ballymena Housing for All Forum.             

We have continued to engage with the Ballymena PeacePlus partnership, the Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, including its Economic & Employability Sub Group. The Ballymena South Community Cluster, the Services Club Ballymena Afternoon Tea’s and Friday Lunches.

Additional projects have included a renewable energy initiative at Scullery O’Tullagh, a wreath-making workshop, and an exploration of shamrock growing. Each activity reflects our commitment to creating inclusive, educational, and supportive community growing spaces.

Our work continues to grow, nurturing not just plants, but community connections and individual skills.