Magheralin Parish Caring Association

This charity works across a parish of around 2,500 families in the two small rural villages of Magheralin and Dollingstown and surrounding areas in County Down. It has set up a community venture to address needs in the local area and to offer activities and programmes that are designed to meet people’s needs. It runs various programmes benefitting all sections of the community – including a toddler group, groups for older people and community events.

The Association requested funding towards setting by a new therapeutic gardening club aimed at improving the mental health of local people. It will encourage people to be more active, to make friends and provide a positive peer support network for people who are involved. Allen Lane Foundation Trustees agreed a £4,320 contribution towards the salary of a gardener who would run the project at the meeting in February 2023.