A new community space is helping allotment holders at Batchley Brook come together, creating new opportunities for friendship, support and improved wellbeing through a shared love of gardening and growing food.
The allotment site is home to around 125 plots and a diverse community of tenants from a wide range of ages, backgrounds and cultures. In recent years, a group of committed allotment holders have worked hard to strengthen community connections across the site, bringing people together around a shared vision of creating a more supportive and welcoming allotment community.
Their efforts have already transformed the site. Working in partnership with Redditch Borough Council, the group has restored a derelict allotment shop, improved the surrounding environment and created opportunities for tenants from across the allotments to work together. A Worcestershire County Council Public Health community grant has enabled the installation of a new weatherproof community shed, creating an all-year-round gathering space where allotment holders can meet, socialise and support one another.
The new space will be used for informal meet-ups, coffee mornings, breakfast events and community barbecues, helping people build friendships, share skills and welcome new allotment holders. It will also provide opportunities to strengthen links with local wellbeing groups, including men’s wellbeing initiatives delivered through The Old Needle Works Foundation.
By bringing people together through a shared interest, the allotments provide opportunities to reduce loneliness and isolation, improve confidence and self-esteem, support positive mental health and encourage people to stay active outdoors.
One of the allotment holders involved in developing the project said: “I have seen how the grants have brought the allotmenteers together, physically building a community space, socialising on a daily basis, holding food events and working together to build a supportive community across all ages, sexes and cultures. Individuals have found a purpose and improved their self-esteem and mental health. It grows organically and I am proud to have been one of those with the vision to deliver it.”
To find out more about the Worcestershire County Council public health community grant programme please visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/communitygrants