Bill Dewar, a local from Ballykeel thought that by cutting grass and doing a little gardening for the elderly residents he would be making a small contribution to the environment and helping the local residents. As sometimes happens with a small project like this, Bill discussed his plans with a few friends and before he knew what had happened, he had a five year Business Plan and was running a small successful business – BallykeelEnvironmental Action Team (B.E.A.T. (NI) Ltd).

Initially, Bill planned for a couple of people to cut grass and do light gardening. However, word of the good work and reasonable prices spread and with the help of Peace II funding,the business grew until now there are 4 full-time workers and one part time administrator. In addition there are 2 trainees from a Job skills programme provided with placements and 2 school boys come and help out every Thursday. By doing this work, the trainees are able to build on their skills which in turn will give them the confidence to get full time permanent employment. Staff salaries for the core workers are paid by DSD, however, it is hoped that in time, the enterprise will become more self sufficient as the business grows.

Currently B.E.A.T. (NI) Ltd has grass cutting and general ground maintenance contracts with Ballykeel and Ballee Primary Schools and the local Pentecostal church. In addition, B.E.A.T (NI) LTD have worked with the Ulster Wildlife Trust and using a B&Q grant of £500 to assist the local primary schools to do a flower bed project and general tidy up of some waste ground and complete a bulb planting exercise.

Word of this successful social enterprise has spread far beyond Ballykeel and now B.E.A.T (NI) LTD has diversified into painting and decorating, doing some minor non technical repairs to houses, pathways and fence construction. B.E.A.T (NI) LTD has now started to take on work from outside the Ballykeel area and offer free estimates. During the initial period of trading March 2004 to March 2005, (13 months) some 405 jobs were completed, during the second period April 2005 to March 2006 (12 months), 390 services were delivered.