After years of renting properties, in October we purchased our first “Home” to enable us to future proof and expand the services we offer to the people of Causeway Coast and Glens and last week, the Planning Officers at Causeway Coast and Glens approved our move!

Lislagan Farm is so much more than a new space for CAN – it’s our plan for a Post-Covid world and an investment in our people who are at the core of everything we do.
 
Lislagan will be a safe place to meet, explore, play, rest, re-boot, socialise, learn and have fun – bringing light back into the lives of our children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism, their families and carers.

CAN has a track record in providing creative, cost-effective solutions and developing services which put people in the centre.
 
During Covid19, the need for outdoor space became critical and CAN is responding to the wishes of its members, families, carers in ensuring they can accommodate the future needs and accommodation requirements for services by investing in a large site with room for the expansion of opportunities, focusing on utilising outdoor space where possible.

Covid hit our people hard and more than ever before we came to realise how essential access to outdoor space is. We believe we would create a community asset – a HAVEN, if you like – on the outskirts of Ballymoney.
 
Lislagan Farm will be an inclusive, safe space, located in a mature landscape with nature trails, an orchard, polytunnels growing flowers/vegetable produce and a variety of poultry and small animals.
 
We have already been able to secure some funding from Causeway Coast and Glens, the National Lottery and Live Here, Love Here NI to build raised beds and create an orchard and paths.

The response from our local councillors, funders and the local people has been unbelievable and we are so grateful for this opportunity.