Since 2013
About Ashes to Gold
We are a registered charity working to restore a life’s purpose. We support health and wellbeing across the Causeway Coast and Glens through counselling, mentoring and learning new skills.
Our story
How it began
Ashes to Gold was founded in 2013 by Mark and Jacqui McKinney, a local couple who wanted to give something back. They began by donating a share of their business profits to a local counselling service and by opening up their own land for an outdoor programme for adults with disabilities. Their business, ATG Group, has supported the charity ever since.
That small beginning grew into the charity you see today: a counselling and support centre, a nature therapy site, a woodworking and DIY workshop, a teaching kitchen, a fishery and a women’s group.
A community that needs us
Northern Ireland has some of the highest rates of mental ill health in the UK. The legacy of the Troubles, and the pressures of poverty and isolation, still weigh heavily on many families. Demand for our services has risen year after year.
We stand alongside people in a crisis. Then we keep going, with support through the whole of their recovery. Therapy is only one part of the picture, so we also offer activities that build confidence, nurture friendships and improve everyday quality of life.
What makes us different
We listen first
We ask, we don’t assume
Our services are shaped by the people who use them. When we saw young men in our area struggling, we invited them to tell us what would help, over a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich, and built a programme around what they said.
We stay
We don’t offer six weeks of support and move on. We walk alongside people as they recover.
We welcome everyone
Our projects are in neutral locations, so people from every community can use them.
We make things happen
That was our answer when the King’s Award assessors asked what makes us different.
People we support
Our services are open to anyone who needs them, including:
Mental health and neurodiversity
Adults and young people living with mental health challenges, and people affected by autism and ADHD.
Addiction and recovery
People living with addiction or starting recovery, and young men facing addiction and isolation.
Isolation and safety
People affected by loneliness and isolation, and survivors of domestic abuse.
Disability
Adults with physical and learning disabilities.
Families
Families on low incomes, and children, young people and their families.
Our people
Powered by volunteers
We have a small staff team, supported by 52 registered volunteers. They include counsellors and people who have found recovery themselves and now want to help others. In 2024 our volunteers gave more than 20,000 hours of their time. At the National Living Wage, that time is worth more than £225,000.
Our timeline
How far we’ve come
- 12 November 2013
Ashes to Gold founded
- September 2017
Won Social Enterprise of the Year at the Causeway Chamber Awards
- 16 February 2018
Launched the Grow project
- April 2018
Oasis becomes part of Ashes to Gold
- 19 October 2018
Highly Commended at the NI Social Enterprise Awards
- 26 November 2018
Won the Community CSR Award at the Business Eye Awards
- May 2020
Our work formed part of ATG Group’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise
- 18 September 2021
Launched Moorbrook Fishery
- January 2022
Opened Northern Ireland’s first Love Grace collection point
- April 2022
Launched Blossom, our women’s group
- May 2023
The Garden Kitchen won UTV’s People’s Project vote
- 14 November 2024
Awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service
Our recognition
A tribute to our volunteers
In 2024, Ashes to Gold received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups in the UK. Often described as the MBE for volunteer groups, it celebrates the people who give their time to support others.
Because of our volunteers, someone going through a hard time finds a warm welcome, a listening ear and somewhere to belong. Thank you.
Open and accountable
We are a registered charity in Northern Ireland, charity number NIC101209, and we are registered with the Fundraising Regulator.
