Expanding Our Community Allotment

We’re delighted to share some exciting news with our community.   We have successfully secured an additional vacant allotment plot right next to our existing community space.

This expansion marks an important step forward for our centre and the people we support. With this additional plot, we will be able to welcome new people to the space, offer a wider range of hands-on opportunities, and support even more people to learn how to grow their own food. Whether someone is completely new to gardening or looking to build on existing skills, this space will open the door to learning, confidence-building, and connection.

Before we can fully open this new plot as a thriving community space, there’s plenty of work to be done. As with many vacant allotments, it needs time, care, and a lot of effort to bring it back into shape. Clearing the site, preparing the soil and growing areas, installing a chicken coop and getting it ready for planting will be a shared journey and a great opportunity for volunteers to get involved from the very beginning. It’s a chance to truly shape the space together and see the transformation over time.

Once established, the additional plot will allow us to grow a greater variety and quantity of fresh produce. This will directly benefit our cooking sessions at the centre, where participants learn how to prepare healthy, affordable meals using some ingredients grown on the plot. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking food from plot to plate and the taste speaks for itself, fresh, organic, locally grown produce is not only more nutritious, but it also simply tastes better.

We will also be sharing our harvest through Dottie’s Community Fridge, helping ensure that fresh, healthy food is accessible to both our local neighbourhood and the wider community. At a time when many are facing rising food costs, this support can make a real difference.

Allotments offer far more than just a place to grow vegetables. They are spaces of wellbeing, connection, and personal growth. Spending time outdoors in the fresh air, getting hands in the soil, and being physically active all contribute to better physical health. Just as importantly, gardening has been shown to improve mental health, reducing stress, boosting mood, and providing a sense of purpose.

Our allotment is also a social space, where people can meet others, share knowledge, and build friendships. It’s a place where skills are passed on, confidence grows, and people feel part of something meaningful.

A Thank You

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Bearwood Road Allotment Committee for approving our application. Their support has made this possible, and we are incredibly grateful.

This new plot will make a real and lasting difference to our community, creating more opportunities, improving wellbeing, and helping us continue to support people in practical, positive ways.

We can’t wait to get growing.