About Us
Proudly supporting Poleglass & the wider community
Helping local people feel connected, supported and confident. Sally Gardens is a grassroots community organisation delivering frontline services across Poleglass and the wider community area. Run by a small but dedicated team, we provide targeted support for local residents and empower people to create positive change in their communities.
What we do
We’re a thriving community organisation working to improve the lives of people who need it most in the Poleglass area of west Belfast. We’re here for everyone in our local community through life’s challenges, offering a safe, welcoming space where people can find support, encouragement, and friendship.
Our vision
Equality and respect for all.
Our mission
To enhance the quality of life of people in Poleglass and Colin area.
Our values
Empowerment
Inclusion
Participation and involvement
Partnership and collective action
Our story
We’re based in an area of Northern Ireland facing significant mental-health challenges and social deprivation. But our community is not defined by this. Together, we’re building a place of positivity, regeneration and hope for the future.
We’ve achieved a great deal, but demand for our services continues to grow. There is still much to do. We remain committed to improving life for everyone in the Poleglass and Colin area and that will always be our top priority.
“We’ve been here at Sally Gardens for nearly two decades. We know the families, we know the whole history. You see people through the hardest times, loss, trauma, all of it, as well as the happier times. We’ve built a strong trust with people in the community, they know we’re here when they need us.”
Martin Connolly, Director, Poleglass Community Association @ Sally Gardens
The inspiration behind our name
“She bid me take life easy, as the grass grows on the weirs.”
— W. B. Yeats, “Down by the Salley Gardens”
— W. B. Yeats, “Down by the Salley Gardens”
When our community association was first formed, we wanted a name that felt warm and welcoming. Sally Gardens was inspired by Yeats’ poem, where the “salley” (Irish for willow tree) is a peaceful place to meet and reflect. That sense of calm and connection is what we hope Sally Gardens brings to our Poleglass community: a place to come together, share life’s challenges, and feel stronger.
Join our thriving community
Want to meet new people, learn something new, or simply feel part of our supportive community?
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