NWP assists Gortnamona Mens Shed

In June 2023 we received a request to help a local Men's Shed project in Gortnamona Belfast with some compost and a few plants. When Sharon visited the site, it was clear this group of enthusiastic men had little facilities yet had made a great effort to grow food and flowers in their community garden. They were full of ideas and wanted to learn about the No Dig method to control weeds and they expressed their dream of having a polytunnel so they can meet and grow all year round.

When winter hit, with no indoor facility, it became hard to meet up and this had a knock-on effect on their mental health as many see the garden as their primary social outlet. NWP were delighted to invest in this group and provided the men with a polytunnel and some compost to rejuvenate their garden.

They are also completing a 6 week programme of horticultural education with our community outreach manager Sharon to make the most of their new facilities. They will open the garden up to the local primary school so the pupils can come and enjoy this fantastic new garden, which will be filled with all types of fruit and vegetables for them to sample and see growing!

Philip Keaveney, chairperson for the men's shed, shared kind words about the support they received: " NWP community support has played a crucial role in helping us achieve our mission and make a positive impact in our community. We are proud to have you as a partner who has helped with advice and training.It was heartwarming to learn about what NWP could offer us as a mental health and well-being organisation. The contribution of the Polytunnel and compost has brought our garden to a new level. People in the men's shed with no experience from day one are now gardening like professionals thanks to the courses that Sharon and Biruk, on behalf of NWP and New Leaf Compost, set up. We would love to share success stories with you and keep you informed about the impact of your support."