DONAGHCLONEY COMMUNITY GARDEN - ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
CHARITY NUMBER-108152
The Donaghcloney Community Garden was started in May 2017 at the Royal British Legion with
the help of The Conservation Volunteers. Since the beginning the group has grovm in numbers,
on average 30 per week. and attracts self-employed. pensioners, people with various rnental
health problems, strokes and the unemployed. The garden meets twce weekly, Monday and
Friday mornings, 10.30 - 13.00, not only to promote horticultural aspects but provides
educational information by various projects facilitated by The Conservation Volunteerslother
organisations. The volunteer ages range from 16- 80+, including those with disabilities, retired
and those still working. The aim of the garden is to provide the opportunity to learn new skills,
work with partners to promote healthhNellbeing, physical activities and healthy eating
programmes. The Community Garden re￿iVed charity status on 9 December 2019 No 108152.
The garden provides an opportunity for all to keep active and related to their abilities. It has
encouraged TCV'S Green Gym model approach ensuring there are strong links made bel￿een
the enhan￿d green space, health and well-being. We have also made connect with the
Donaghcloney Surgery and they are promoting wellness in participating in the garden.
Great use was made of the polytunnel during the year to grow plants from seed - vegetables and
flowers. The vegetables were used by the Community Lunch Group which met monthly at the
RBL. The flowers were used to supplement the plants from the ABC Small Floral Grant Scheme.
Sweetpea was used to decorate the Lunch Group tables and these were then given to members
in the community.
Recycling of materials, garden kneelerlseats have been made for individual needs, window
boxes, an automatic watering system and bug hotels. DGC has made huge efforts to ensure
everyone feels welcome, has a role and included in the gardening project, an extremely positive
approach has seen the group grow from strength to strength in numbers and skill base.
The Community Garden and its volunteers have gained the confidencelrespect of the wider
community. This is eVIden￿d by the work now undertaken in the village re planters, raised
beds, hanging baskets, litter picks and working in collaboration with TCV to provide community
window boxes, all increasing community ownership. The feedback received from the wider
community for their regeneration of the village Bell Garden has been amazing, with young
families and older people alike describing it as a life4ine - being able to aC￿sS safe green
space during lockdown.
DCG continues to Work closely with the Donaghcloney Royal British Legion, ABC re revenue
costs, The Conservation Volunteers, Live Here Love Here, TADA Rural Support Network,
DAERA, Co- Operation Ireland, various funders, local Primary School, other garden groups
willingly sharing its advicelexperiences and welcomes visitors who go away with some of the
vegetables, fruits,etc.
Donaghcloney is a growing village with many newcomers, people who are in early retirement
and seeking new outlets for their spare time. The garden is meeting this need as well as
reducing social isolation. It is a key player in creating and bonding new friendships within and
around the area. We are now being asked by youth groups to identify ways the young can learn
and participate within the community garden. The Brownies was an example of this. They planted
a tree in The Bell Garden and tidied the area. The Chairperson received a phone call enquiring if
the garden would contact a gentleman from Thailand who had returned to Northem Ireland. He
was very interested in working in the community and has been very beneficial with his skills in
horticulture.
Facebook is used to promote the garden and allow those who cannot attend in person to see
what is going on.
Walter Ferris, Chalr

Public Benefit and Purpose
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful
consideration to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's guidance on public benefit to
ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to
the beneficiaries. All our activities are related to one or more of the following charitable
objectives:
The advancement of citizenship or community development.
The trustees who served during the year 2023 - 2024 are listed below
Mr Walter Ferns
Mrs Shirely Coggan
Mrs Helen Wilson
Mrs Eleanor Ferris
There were no funds by held by our charity that was in any way deficit at the end of our financial
year and we had a closing balance of £183.20