During my childhood we had the conflict in the North. Every day you’d hear about people being shot, killed, or attacks happening across the city. You’d be searched on the street, especially being from a deprived area such as west Belfast. But even with everything that was going on, the community of St James was still very close-knit. People left their doors open, people wandered in and out. If you needed some milk or sugar, you’d rap the neighbour’s door. It’s still very much like this today. Everyone stands behind each other in the community, but there’s never been much here for people to do.
The farm happened just out of a conversation one day with my mate Limbo, Damien Lindsay. The land was just sitting there and the idea came up about making an allotment on the bog land, so that the people in the community could grow their own fresh food. We had a few volunteers from the Simon Community come down and help put up the fences. They still give us a hand every day.
It’s great for St James to have the farm. We’ve grown a lot of vegetables and every day we check for hen and duck eggs. All the produce we grow is given to the elderly or those in need within the community. It saves them going to the big stores and spending a fortune. The kids love it and it also gives them an understanding of caring for the animals. They help with the daily feeds before going to school or at the weekend, giving up their time to help with the clean-ups.
We still have problems with unemployment in the area, so at the farm we take on volunteers to give them the skills they need for work. They help with the feeds, building sheds and cleaning up, and it gives them a buzz when they see the work done and the animals enjoying it. We also invite people who are going through a tough time to come here, help dig holes or repair sheds – something that’s going to take their mind off stress.