BDP’s Allotment Receives Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund

BDP’s allotment group have been granted £20,000 from the National Lottery!  

The allotment has been running for over a year and has become an impressive showcase of BDP’s growing social and community groups. 

Once a week, a green-fingered group meet at St Werburghs City Farm to tend to a range of blossoming plants and growing veggies. From cabbage to tomatoes, garlic to cucumber, the allotment is ripe with all sorts of gardening possibilities, all of which are about to ripen further with a £20k grant from the National Lottery. 

Maddy Yarwood, volunteer and allotment facilitator outlined the importance of the allotment group; 

“Being out in nature, being around plants and soil really helps people’s mental health. Some people struggle with indoor groups, so having an outdoor space that’s safe and welcoming, and that people have ownership over, is really important. And people love learning about plants!” 

So how will the grant help? 

In addition to working wages, the grant will help to expand all elements of the allotment to give its members, and its crops, more capabilities. The plan is to purchase a polytunnel, which allows a more managed environment to propagate, providing more food all year round, and a more varied learning experience in the process. Along with the tunnel, the grant will go towards a multitude of different gardening equipment, including a new tool shed, seeds, compost, benches and flower bed boarders to give more purpose and pride in the space.  

Having autonomy over the allotment is a vital part of the service. Tez, another allotment volunteer expressed how planting seeds and watching them grow is “grounding, healing and rewarding”. The learning scheme builds upon the reward element by awarding members with gold stars as they pass through modules; from sowing seeds to soil care. Once the modules are complete, they receive a certificate for their effort! 

This is just one way the allotment provides a fun and valuable experience for the group. One member stated, “It’s holistic and healing to be in the garden and in touch with nature, getting away from the city life is rewarding”. Another said, “You get to meet new people, it’s a sociable space and everyone’s really lovely, you get exercise and it helps with your mental health. I recommend it to anyone, it’s brilliant, 10/10!”. 

It’s clear that the allotment is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, be with nature and explore activities you may not be able to explore elsewhere. The grant will provide an amazing chance to grow this community by growing opportunities and of course, growing plants! 

Interested in getting involved?

If you are currently using BDP’s services or are struggling with your drug and/or alcohol use and would like to come along to one of our allotment sessions, please get in touch by calling 0117 987 6000 or email info@bdp.org.uk.