Dromore charity has touch of the Good Life

sown the seeds of self-sufficiency, with a little help from its friends.

Via Wings, driving force behind Dromore’s House of Hope, Olive Branch cafe and Hope & Soul Social Enterprise shop has embarked on a series of gardening and conservation schemes under the umbrella of its ‘Food for the Soul’ project.

The charity’s vision is one enabling Via Wings to become fully self-sustainable, grow ing its own fruits and vegetables for its Market Square coffee shop.

To that end members are working alonside local man John Redmond and his team as they head up gardening and conservation at the recently established ‘House of Hope’ on Banbridge Road.

The garden there now boasts its very own beehives, donated by Dromore Beekeepers Association,and the local honey is on sale at The Olive Branch.

A spokesperson said: “In addition, the garden itself is a community space to be enjoyed by all.”

In recent months the charity officially opened its Reflection garden - created by the ‘Food for the Soul’ team in memory of the late Mary Bradley-Verhoeven, a board-member, volunteer and “great friend” of the charity.

Going forward, Via Wings is eager to bring on board more participants for its latest project. “There are two main branches of the Food for the Soul project,” the spokesperson said.

“Both groups would be delighted for more people to get involved.

“Everyone is welcome; men, women and young people, and no experience is needed. All you need is an enthusiastic attitude.”

Both groups are now active and will remain so all year round.

Said the spokesperson: “On Tuesdays between 2pm and 6pm, Karen from Conservation Volunteers is on hand to talk about how to look after your garden and lead interactive workshops to teach you how to create bird-boxes, window boxes, tend allotments and prepare for the winter.

“On Thursdays between 6pm and 9pm, there is a gardening group who meet to help maintain the garden and vegetable allotment and develop the garden for the future. They are currently creating a potting shed for the winter months.”

If you have any questions and/or would like to get involved then you are asked to call John Redmond on 077 1089 0474.

Via Wings is a registered charity whose stated aim is “to show God’s love in a loving, caring, practical and non-judgmental way”.

For more information visit www.viawings.co.uk or find it on Facebook.

You can also visit their social enterprise shop, Hope & Soul and cafe at 33 Market Square, Dromore.