NWP supports West Belfast gardening group to ‘green’ waste space

Natural World Products (NWP) has joined with The Three Sisters Gardening Community in west Belfast to aid the transformation of waste ground with the creation of new community gardens.

The project first established last year, seeks to brighten vacant ground in the Oakman Street and Cavendish Street areas, in a bid to improve their appearance while also boosting the wellbeing of local residents.

NWP donated compost for raised beds which have formed a space where local people can sow herbs and vegetables and create flower beds.

Patrick Kelly, NWP General Manager said:

“Priding ourselves in the local community and placing them at the centre of everything we do, we are pleased to support The Three Sisters Community Gardening group’s incredible project which has brought new life to ground that would otherwise remain vacant.

“It’s truly satisfying to know the compost donated is beneficial to not only to the local community’s mental health but to the local environment also.

“Our organic peat-free New Leaf Compost is made using the food waste collected from the very residents that are now able to enjoy the community garden – it’s the definition of the circular economy in action and we’re extremely proud of the role we play in this.

“With recycling rates in Northern Ireland now over 50%, projects like this illustrate the many positive social, mental and physical impacts recycling can have.”

Driven by community efforts to enhance mental health in the local area as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, support from local businesses like NWP has ensured the project is mentally and physically beneficial to those living nearby.

Brenda Gough of Three Sisters Community Gardening Group added:

“We are extremely grateful to NWP for their very generous donation during a time of such uncertainty for without the support of local businesses and everyone pulling together, none of this would be possible.

“We believe being out in the fresh air, having our hands in the earth, and gardening together as a community has incredible positive impacts on helping reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and during a time of great difficulty the benefits of horticultural therapy have never been so important.

“We look forward to continuing to transform, improve and brighten our surrounding area as we aim to ‘green’ waste ground.”