A Big Hug for Dunclug!

The newly reformed Dunclug Partnership joined with Mid and East Antrim Council, North Ballymena Cluster, Tesco’s Green Pastures, Ballyloughlin Church and Supporting Communities, in venturing outdoors and cleaning up the four estates in the Dunclug Area.

The Community Group successfully secured funding from the Housing Executive’s Community Grant Scheme to purchase equipment in order to deliver a number of environmental projects within Dunclug.

Patricia McQuillan, the treasurer of the community group and a local resident, said “When you care about the area you live in, you are more inclined to look after it. As adults, it is important that we provide a safe environment for the children to be able to play and grow up in as well as encourage local residents to take pride in where they live.”

Gillian Forrest from Supporting Communities said, “Not only do the cleanups improve the look of an area but are also a way of getting to know your neighbours. They encourage you to get involved with community life and get active which is proven to be beneficial not only for your physical but also for your mental health.”

Jenny Dougan of North Ballymena Community Cluster said, “It's great to see this group come together to carry out a project that will inspire pride in their local community. It is hoped that by demonstrating such passion they will encourage others to follow in their footsteps."

As part of this project, the group organized a cleanup in each of the four estates in the Dunclug area over a four-week period and you can see the evidence of all their hard work. The group would like to thank all of the community volunteers, churches, and agencies who supported the clean-ups and helped us to “Give Dunclug a Hug!”