Belfast City Council

Belfast City Council investment provided funding for 10 projects through the Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme;

Braniel Community Church created a garden that has brought together people from within the community providing fresh nutritious food for the community.  The project has instigated new friendships. The working garden turns a green space into an area which helps to educate young and old within the area to grow vegetables and to learn sustainability. A space that welcomes wildlife with a dedicated Bee positive area of wildflowers.

Half Moon Lake Men’s Shed funding enabled the transformation of a large waste area at the entrance of Half Moon Lake which contained fallen tree debris and was overgrown with weeds.  The area is now cleared, bordered with sleepers, and contains a range of plants and has drawn compliments from users of the park. The project brings environmental improvements and makes several enhancements to the area that will benefit all users of the facility.

Edenderry Residents Association maintain numerous flower beds and small green spaces that have traditionally in the village. Funding will support the materials needed to maintain these areas. The project has increasing civic pride in the village and improved the quality of the local environment in these shared spaces.

St Anthony's Church, Willowfield project has created something beautiful which will benefit others. The majority of homes surrounding the church do not have a garden or access to a green space. The project brings more nature into a city centre location, by rewilding areas with wildflower meadows, planting a native hedge and trees. It also increases civic pride in the area, making it a beautiful place to spend time in and bring joy to passers-by. It contributes to reduction in pollution, and possible reduction in fly tipping and dog fouling.

Friends of Rosetta project has brought the school community together, giving parents and students a chance to get involved in creating new green spaces for everyone to enjoy. Every child involved in planting, will remember how they helped create a new spot for nature as they walk into school every morning. The spruced up woodland area created by the volunteer parents, will provide all children in the school the chance to experience and escape into the wonder of nature, and encourage more outdoor learning.

The Men’s Shared Skills Group received funding for bedding plants, vegetable seeds, seedlings, winter bulbs and materials for planters. The project developed an urban green space in a busy inner city location improving the presentation of the Westcourt complex. It makes a valuable contribution to the aesthetics of local area and more importantly contribute to a positive impact on the environment.

St John's Orangefield (SJO) Eco-Committee  project enabled the Eco Committee to increase the positive environmental impact of church's grounds. Volunteers were brought together around this common purpose as pollinator plants establish and bloom. Fruit trees were planted to improve environmental management by attracting further pollinators, and bring the community together sharing fruit and growing civic pride. This benefits people's health and wellbeing.

Belfast YMCA established a community garden and grow project on a disused site overgrown with weeds and nettles. A polytunnel was installed to engage the local community and partners by focussing on environmental improvement and management of the site which borders the lagan meadows. A group of local ladies have set up a hen shed to meet weekly and local residents, school children and other charities have become involved. It is breaking down community isolation, connecting people and crossing community boundaries.

Willowfield Parish Community Association were awarded funding that has enabled them to provide seating and attractive planting for a disused area, turning it into something that can be used for a Hobby Club and other groups.  The Hobby Club plant sunflowers, tomatoes, strawberries, beans and other vegetables during the summer and really benefitted from the new outdoor space.