National Allotments Week is now upon us, and this year could not be a better opportunity to celebrate the outdoors and the possibilities available to us when it comes to growing and eating.
2020 has been a difficult year for us all, but with lockdown easing regularly, we can seize the opportunity to get outdoors safely, enjoy some exercise and really educate ourselves on where our food comes from.
Since the Dig For Victory campaign during World War 2, the nation has come together in community allotments across the country, sharing produce and creating a sense of community cohesion.
The Mansbridge Allotment Project relaunched this year and has already proven to be a huge success, benefitting residents. Mansbridge is home to a 12-plot allotment, and this summer we have seen huge progress in the amount of produce being grown. Some food has also been donated to those in need which has demonstrated a great community spirit.
“Living in a flat, I love coming to the allotment to sit, read a book in the sunshine and look at the flowers I am growing.”
Benefits of having access to allotments
Improved mental health
There is no doubt that being outdoors and enjoying the weather has great benefits to mental health and wellbeing. A study carried out by the University of Exeter Medical School discovered that spending just 120 minutes a week outdoors with nature is enough to significantly boost your mental wellbeing.
The sense of community provides a social hub and sharing your passion with others can be a great stress reliever.
Healthy and sustainable
You can save yourself a lot of money each month in the supermarket by growing your own produce, and the satisfaction of eating your home-grown food is wonderful. And why not donate any leftovers to your local food bank? Growing and donating isn’t only rewarding for the individuals involved, but it can have a wider positive impact on the community.
A family activity
It is also a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies if they have been a part of where their food has come from. Teaching young people from an early age where their fruit and vegetables comes from can be really exciting. Especially if they can also help cook some yummy, healthy meals.
Don’t forget, if you don’t have access to a garden or allotment, you can grow a multitude of things on your own windowsill – perfect if you live in a flat!
Looking at a green future
We encourage residents to get out and about – whether it’s in the allotment, balcony or garden – because we see the benefits. We know that people feel better and brighter when they interact with the outdoors, and our role as Community Development Officers allows us work with customers to get them enjoying active lifestyles.
Moving forward, we really want to expand our offering of growing opportunities and become a new, inclusive movement and part of a vision of a healthier, more active community. We recently launched the pilot for our Good Grow Club, using the power of gardening and indoor growing opportunities to enrich the lives of our customers in Mansbridge and Gosport, so we see this as a great opportunity to engage even more communities and help community groups apply for the funding they need to bring their own ideas to life.
– Jess Pardy, Community Development Officer