Our Community Heart Garden Project recently went on a day trip to Ballybeg in Waterford to visit Ballybeg Community Development Project ‘Ballybeg Greens’ and a local Traveller Men’s Shed. It was an opportunity for our group to explore how different projects with similar goals could inspire us with new ideas and challenge us to improve.
Traveller Men’s Shed
Firstly, Niall and Paddy brought us to the men’s shed which was located on the local Traveller group housing scheme. We sat down in the space they had created and the group got to ask how they got started, how they run the project as well as some of the challenges they face. Paddy spoke about how the project is run on a shared basis with the responsibility for the shed being shared by those that use it.
Focus on Horses
There is a particular focus on horses. Most of the men would use the shed to make their own shoes for their horses. There is an adjacent building with no roof which the group are hoping to refurbish, with the help of the local authority, for use as a boxing club.
Niall Deveraux spoke about how sports activities are used to improve the health of Traveller men in Waterford. We have accepted the challenge of taking part in the next football tournament they run!
Social Enterprise Garden
