News

A group of third year BSc Psychology students recently paid a visit to the Merlin Woods Community Garden to learn about the work of Friends of Merlin Woods, a community group dedicated to conserving one of Galway’s most biodiverse green spaces. The visit offered the students an opportunity to see how principles from community psychology come to life in the form of the experiences of the grassroots conservation and advocacy group.

Friends of Merlin Woods, led by passionate environmentalist Caroline Stanley, is committed to maintaining the woodland area, advocating for its protection status, and encouraging the people of Galway to engage with nature.

Caroline emphasised that the group is first and foremost a community organisation rather than a purely environmental one, and is intent on bringing the local residents together through nature-based activities and events. The students learned about how the group creatively sets up events such as performances that incorporate masks made from wood from fallen trees; a great example of how sustainability can intersect with building community.

As opposed to bringing in ‘professionals’ or ‘experts,’ Friends of Merlin Woods prides itself on using the community members’ own skills to involve them in their work and events, highlighting the importance of community psychology principles that emphasise centering lived experience and local knowledge.

Although the visit took place on a particularly rainy day, the group still enjoyed a tour around the community garden, allowing them to see firsthand one of the outputs of the group that creates a sense of community through collaborative efforts.

Seeing the dedication and passion of Friends of Merlin Woods gave the students a deeper appreciation for community-led projects and broadened their view of how community psychology extends beyond the lecture theatre.