Overdue: 387 days
Public benefits
Our Association promotes a thriving, attractive and multi-functional allotment site. This entails the growing of healthy fruit and vegetables and requires healthy exercise in the fresh air. As a result there will be direct benefit to the physical health of each plot holder. Other main benefits include developing community cohesion and alleviating
social isolation through the sharing of knowledge on horticulture and the benefits of fresh produce which we often share with local residents and those in need. The mental well-being of plot holders and visitors can be improved through interaction and sharing of experiences. The promotion of the management of green waste and materials recycling also has public benefit as it results in less waste going to landfill in the local Council area. The efficient use of water on allotments has direct benefit to the local area particularly during hot dry spells with resultant hose-pipe bans. Our group has recently been successful in attracting funding for perimeter hedge planting (Enkalon) a metal portacabin (Lottery) and most recently a Community Garden with pergola, raised planters and seating (Alpha Programme). It is difficult to quantify improvements to the physical and mental well-being of plot holders and visitors, but it is clearly evident from comments received that they are significantly improved. Furthermore, our promotion of materials recycling and composting of green waste contributes to the local Council's high recycling rate which is currently over 52% Approximately, 100 schoolchildren from a total of four primary schools and nursery schools in the Antrim area are shown around the allotments each year. This represents a significant contribution to the education of local children. A letter of support from the principal of a local Primary School demonstrates this matter adequately. Looking at the number of Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents recorded by the PSNI (NISRA website) can give an indication of the success of community development initiatives. The number of ASB incidents recorded within Greystone Ward, Antrim significantly reduced after our Association was founded in 2015. The only potential harm arising from our purposes is the possibility of slips, trips or falls for visitors to the allotments. We control this risk by restricting access only to flat even ground free of potholes and avoiding obstructions and trip hazards. All visiting schoolchildren will be supervised by a qualified teacher at all times. There is a first aid box in the members' cabin and all members will have individual responsibility for their own personal safeguard. The charity's beneficiaries are the allotment plot holders and the surrounding community in the town of Antrim. Approximately, 100 local schoolchildren who visit the allotments each year directly benefit from increased knowledge of growing fresh fruit and vegetables. There is direct private benefit to nearby residents and the needy as they are recipients of surplus fruit and vegetables from the allotments. This is considered to be incidental and necessary in our quest to engage the local community in our activities.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Our Association's committee meets regularly to consider how best we can promote a thriving, attractive and multi-functional allotment site where plot holders can enjoy the growing of fresh fruit and vegetables in the fresh open air in attractive surroundings . Over the past 4 years our members have exhibited prize winning entries into both the
Garden Show Ireland and the Antrim Agricultural Show. We encourage our members and the wider community to work together to grow their knowledge in horticulture and to develop a sense of belonging and community cohesion. This is done via a series of activities and examples of these are listed below: i) The allotments are opened up during May and June each year to visits from local Primary Schools so that children can understand the importance of where vegetables come from, how they are grown and the basics of gardening; ii) Family Open Day during September each year; iii) Drop-In Sessions during November each year; and iv) Horticultural Knowledge public events throughout the year. Furthermore, a member of our group attends quarterly meetings with other community groups within the surrounding area (Rehability, Good Morning Antrim, Rathenraw Youth Club and Steeple Community Association) through the Antrim and Newtownabbey community capacity and engagement programme.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
- Other charitable purposes
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- General public
- Interface communities
- Mental health
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
How the charity works
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Community development
- Education/training
- Environment/sustainable development/conservation
- Medical/health/sickness
