Helping hands at Kilcreggan Farm

Kilcreggan Urban Farm in Carrickfergus has received a helping hand from volunteers from the neighbouring borough of Newtownabbey.

In preparation for an upcoming fete, members of the Newtownabbey congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints carried out a clean up of the farm and garden centre.

They also made a large wooden backdrop on which were painted a pig and a rabbit with holes cut out where the heads would be as a bit of fun for the children.

Kilcreggan, which welcomed its first residents in August 1991, was set up to help people with developmental disabilities engage in meaningful work and to promote interaction with the community.

The small farm provides opportunities for tenants, as well as other service users on day placement, to develop skills in animal care and horticulture. Training provided at the location develops employability skills and teamwork.

The farm also provides a tranquil place where tenants, service users and members of the local community can meet and socialise.

Bishop Michael Maxwell, leader of the Newtownabbey congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, said: “We were impressed to learn about the ethos and activity at Kilcreggan. Our group felt we were doing something worthwhile in our community and we enjoyed lending a helping hand.”

He added: “The children loved seeing and feeding the farm animals.”

Youth members of the congregation are also doing a helping hands project later this month with a beach clean up.