Friendship group allotment is a growing success

The allotment, located at the Little Green Allotments on the Whitemountain Road has been developed by the Beyond Words Friendship Group which was set up last year for bereaved people over the age of 60. Beyond Words is a partnership project between Cruse Bereavement Care and the Stroke Association which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Reaching Out: Connecting Older People’ programme.

Paul Finnegan, Beyond Words Project Manager said; “Our friendship group has been meeting locally on a monthly basis for over a year now and felt that an allotment might encourage members to meet up more often.

“Being connected with nature helps people accept the inescapable cycle of life and death and this allotment is a great way for bereaved people to grow plants and vegetables or simply sit back and enjoy the peaceful and tranquil surroundings. The Friendship Group and the Allotment provide the chance for bereaved people to chat freely over a cup of tea with people who have lost their own loved ones and can, therefore, understand something of what we have gone through and are going through.”

Mr Ewing said: “I am delighted to be at the Little Green Allotments and meet with members of the Friendship Group.

“It is commendable that Cruse Bereavement Care can make use of this green space to run a programme for bereaved people over the age of 60.”

Beyond Words also worked in partnership with Amh New Horizons Derriaghy to help the Friendship Group Allotmenteers in the journey to turn a normal field into a beautiful resource that many people can enjoy today.

The Friendship Group meets on the third Monday of every month between 11am and 1pm. Members often meet for a coffee or at the allotment in between meetings. This is a personal choice, with no requirement at all. To find out more about the group, call Paul Finnegan on 90 792419.