One of ATG Group’s key strategies is helping people in the communities where we work. That’s because we believe businesses can be a force for good.
Close to our head office in Northern Ireland is our sister organisation, Ashes to Gold. As a not-for-profit, it provides activities to help restore life’s purpose for people in the community. This incluedes long-term unemployed, have mental health issues or additional and special needs.
Over the summer, Ashes to Gold has been providing the community in County Derry/Londonderry with a range of events at Ashes to Gold Moorbrook. Moorbrook is a fantastic facility that offers fishing and other accessible outdoor activities for education as well as enjoyment and a way to improve mental health. A study by three universities last year shows that, for men in particular, fishing greatly benefits mental health and Moorbrook has already helped many people in recent years.
Over the past few months, it has been reaching more people in the community after Jen Robinson OBE was appointed as Moorbrook’s General Manager. She has helped give the facility a new direction to help it become an even more useful asset for people within the Causeway Coast and Glens.
Last month, it hosted the Blossom Family Fun Day, where there were many family activities. From an introduction to fishing to face-painting, drumming lessons and crafts – there was something for everyone.
Helping veterans
Ashes to Gold Moorbrook is a hive of activity throughout the year. The team works hard to create a quiet, open place to teach schoolchildren, and they have also been welcoming and helping support veterans.
Recently, Moorbrook played host to British Veterans Fitness, which helps ex-servicemen and women keep fit. This not only boosts physical health, it also helps improve mental health. The two-day event included a host of activities which culminated in an impressive barbecue on the Saturday.
As a result of the event, the founder of British Veterans Fitness approached Jen about the need to support veterans who find themselves homeless.
Ashes to Gold Project Manager, Peter Finch, explains, “Helping veterans has always been on our heart at Ashes to Gold. So, when Jen, who is a retired RAF Wing Commander, spoke to us about that conversation we thought we would like to be able to help.
“We already support veterans through the Defence Garden Scheme, and we are about to deliver our tenth 10-week course at our gardens near Coleraine. So when Jen mentioned that there was a need for homeless veterans, it really fit with our aims.”
Giving hope
Peter continues, “Jen recently helped secure £30,000 of funding from the Veterans Foundation to provide wellbeing breaks for veterans, serving personnel and their families. The team at Moorbrook is currently delivering those breaks at the house at Moorbrook alongside activities such as Fishing4Fun and Fire & Feast, as well as camping on the 17-acre site.
“So, the idea of helping veterans find their feet after they are left homeless is something we really want to offer.”
Many veterans struggle once they leave the forces and are ill-equipped to deal with life because of the disciplined way in which they have lived, Peter says.
Plans are now being made to build pods at Moorbrook to provide temporary accommodation for veterans. Peter adds, “I ran a housing project so understand how, with support, people who struggle with their mental health can also struggle with running a home.
“For some former military people, that’s a real struggle because they just aren’t used to living outside of a disciplined system, so many end up without a roof over their head. We want to change that, and we hope that in the not-too-distant future we will be able to offer the pods as a place for veterans to start their new lives.”
Although plans are in the early stages, Peter says he and his team hope it won’t take too long to set things up. He says they are looking forward to journeying with the veterans.
Helping people in the community
As well as those projects, Ashes to Gold also provides a range of activities that are helping people in the community. Its bakery is supporting people with mental and physical disabilities through catering, while also teaching people how to cook healthy and tasty meals on a budget.
The Grow project focuses on inspiring the community to get physically active and produce food in a sociable and supportive environment. Meanwhile, Oasis supports people who are living with or recovering from mental health issues.
How ATG Group helps
As Ashes to Gold grows, ATG Group is helping by supporting the charity through financial and physical support. We give 10% of our profits to Ashes to Gold and staff members also get involved with projects throughout the year.
Our ethos is to provide a better environment for everyone. Whether offering sustainable solutions to remediate and transform land or helping transform lives, we are focusing on making life better.
