“The tireless work he did for disabled people in our community was second to none”
A community garden in West Belfast is paying tribute to the life of a local disability advocate. John Brown passed away on September 13, 2013, and for years worked to create better services for people with disabilities in the area.
A committee member for the Upper Springfield Resource Centre for many years, the community wanted to group together to create a special space to remember him.
Outside the resource centre’s base in the Ballymurphy area, a tree with a memorial engraved into it stands in a small garden surrounded by planters of flowers. The project brought together many community groups, and led to further projects developing in the area.
READ MORE: Dunmurry Cricket Club social housing to deliver “substantial community benefits”READ MORE: Young Serbians meet with Belfast youth group to learn about peacebuilding
Speaking to Belfast Live, Tommy Holland from the Upper Springfield Resource Centre said: “John was a committee member of the Upper Springfield Resource Centre for many years and was highly respected by the local community for his sterling campaigning for disability rights.
“Through funding support from Live Here Love Here, we brought groups together to design and build a garden adjacent to the centre offices in his memory.
“Due to John’s work and influence, there are still Action Ability Groups in the area and there are many families who received support from his projects. There are also many volunteers who met at John’s club and got married and still Iive in the area close to the garden dedicated to his memory, who all got involved in creating the garden.
“It was great that John’s garden also brought together many groups to help design, build and maintain, and also produce a tribute booklet. But most importantly all these groups have now built up partnerships to work on other environmental projects from gardens, allotments, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Groups, Action Ability which encourages projects that are great for both mental and physical health.”
In a time when resources were scarce and societal attitudes often dismissive, John Brown stepped forward to fill a critical void for those with disabilities. He provided essential services, offering a lifeline to individuals with disabilities and their families who were often left on the margins of society.
His efforts laid crucial groundwork for future organisations, most notably, projects akin to the Action Ability Belfast Project, which continues to champion the rights and needs of people with disabilities in Belfast.
Further projects that have followed from John’s garden include a community garden, located at Gort Na Mona GAC and created as part of a collaboration of 24 volunteers from groups such as Crossroads Women’s Group and Gort Na Mona Men’s Shed. The groups have also created a ‘Garden of Hope’ alongside the Suicide Awareness and Support Group.
Phil Keaveney from the Gort Na Mona Men’s Shed said: “John Brown’s garden project was an absolute privilege to be involved in. We all knew John and his family very well, and the tireless work he did for disabled people within our community was second to none.
“We’re so lucky to have our local community groups and representatives on our side with help when needed.”
The projects were made possible by Live Here Love Here’s Small Grants Scheme, with aims to transform forgotten or underused spaces across Northern Ireland, demonstrating the importance of community in tackling environmental challenges and promoting stewardship.
Delivered in partnership with ten local councils, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and Belfast Harbour, applications for the 2025 Small Grants Scheme are open until August 18. Community and volunteer groups, schools, not-for-profit organisations, and un-constituted groups are invited to apply, with successful applications awarded grants from £500 to £3,000.
Orla McGrady, Grants Officer at Live Here Love Here highlighted the array of benefits the Scheme brings to Northern Ireland. She said: “Our Small Grants Scheme continues to prove its role in delivering tangible, long-lasting environmental benefits to urban and rural communities.
“With 378 applications last year, it’s clear the scheme encourages and empowers people to show the pride and passion they have for where they live. In addition to boosting the environment, we have found that the scheme also supports improved community health and wellbeing as these new shared spaces become places everyone can participate in.
“We look forward to communities submitting their plans this year in hopes we can help more villages, towns and cities across Northern Ireland come together to leave a positive legacy.”
To apply for the Small Grants Scheme, or for more information on the Connecting Communities Events, visit liveherelovehere.org/smallgrants.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
#West #Belfast #community #garden #memory #local #disability #advocate
