Abbeyfield Houses Host ‘Green Day’

Abbeyfield, the local charity which provides supported sheltered housing for older people, encouraged residents and staff to organise recycling parties.  Unwanted items were considered to see whether or not they could be adapted or used in a different way or if they should be donated to a charity shop.

Geraldine Gilpin, Chief Executive of Abbeyfield UK (NI), explains the importance of encouraging recycling initiatives:

“Through Abbeyfield Green Day we urged residents and staff to recycle items which they no longer needed such as clothes, books or ornaments.  Staff and residents were also asked to consider the range of recycling that takes place in the houses and to think about other activities which could be undertaken.  For example, shredded paper from Abbeyfield’s Head Office and food scraps from the Abbeyfield houses are used to create compost for many of the gardens.  This is particularly useful in vegetable plots and for protecting strawberry beds.  In other houses a library system has been introduced which allows residents to swap and share books. 

“Staff, volunteers and residents are also actively exploring how they reach out and do something to enrich the lives of others in the local community.  A number of our houses already engage with local primary schools and through these channels young people and their teachers assist residents with the planting of vegetables and flowers at key times during the year.”

Martine Strain, House Manager at Abbeyfield House in Barnagh Close, Donaghadee explains the benefits of embedding recycling practices into the house:

“Many of our residents grew up during an era when it was necessary to ‘mend and make do’ or to ration the resources that you had.  They know how waste products such as vegetable peelings, tea leaves etc. can be used to create compost and fertilise the soil. They also recognise how clothing can be transformed or customised; how various types of material can be reused and sewn together to create something completely different.  They are very resourceful and I think that through having conversations about recycling staff and residents can learn a lot from each other.”

Abbeyfield is a charity providing supported sheltered housing for older people in comfortable, family-style accommodation for seven to ten residents.

For further information on Abbeyfield please contact Abbeyfield’s Head Office on 028 9036 5081, email [email protected] or log onto www.abbeyfieldni.org 

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