Lord Mayor of Belfast Meets CEO of Belfast Healthy Cities at Belfast Urban Garden  

Belfast Healthy Cities was delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, to the Belfast Urban Garden (BUG). The meeting, with the backdrop of the city’s urban garden initiative, saw the Lord Mayor hear more about our priorities for the year ahead from our Chief Executive, Charlene Brooks.  

Councillor Murray said: “Belfast Healthy Cities plays a crucial role in making our city a healthier place. We share many common goals, and health and wellbeing is a key objective within the Belfast Agenda – our city’s community plan.

“It’s great to see sites like the BUG – supported by our Grey to Green scheme – flourishing and improving wellbeing by bringing people together through nature.” 

Belfast Urban Garden is one of the key actions to come out of the Belfast Healthy Cities ‘Greening the City’ workshop in August 2022 and is part of the ‘Greening the City’ Advisory Group’s ongoing work. The meanwhile use project, led by The Conservation Volunteers, is among several initiatives in Belfast City Council’s Grey to Green scheme, funded by the Department for Infrastructure’s Blue Green Infrastructure Fund. 

Charlene said: “Meeting with the Lord Mayor at BUG is symbolic of our commitment to transforming urban spaces into health-promoting environments. We’re excited to discuss how we can work together with our local elected representatives to address key health and well-being challenges here in Belfast.” 

Transformative project BUG is a shining example of what can be achieved when community, conservation, and public health goals come together. The Conservation Volunteers used their funding to convert a section of the Belfast Stories site on Royal Avenue and Kent Street into a thriving urban garden. This includes polytunnels, raised planters, and vegetable beds, all designed to enhance biodiversity, combat pollution, and improve the liveability of the city centre. 

One of the highlights of the BUG project is its engagement with diverse minority groups, including individuals facing mental health challenges. Through gardening and conservation workshops, participants gain valuable skills while improving their mental well-being. The garden hosts several closed gardening groups weekly and offers open volunteering sessions every Saturday, welcoming all community members to participate, learn, and enjoy the benefits of urban gardening. 

During the meeting, Charlene Brooks outlined BHC’s key priorities for the coming year: 

• Community Prosperity: Addressing health inequalities and promoting well-being in disadvantaged communities.
• Greening the City: Expanding projects like BUG to increase urban green spaces, improve air quality, and support mental health.
• Healthy Transport: Advocating for sustainable transport options to reduce air pollution and encourage active lifestyles.
• Knowledge and Learning: Enhancing public health education through workshops, research, and collaboration with local and international partners.