Emmanuel House’s Allotment Project supports some of the most vulnerable people in Nottingham and aims to tackle isolation, financial hardship and homelessness.
Our plot on the historic St Ann’s Allotments offers a relaxed setting for our beneficiaries to learn about nature, growing produce and healthy eating, as well as a space to partake in activities.
This project seeks to provide safe access to nature and the outdoors within a nurturing environment.
The 31-week project commenced on 30th March 2023 and will run to 26th October, with one session a week, and a monthly collaborative cooking and art session with a partner project.
This project addresses three main areas:
- It supports the physical health of participants through the physical activity involved in gardening;
- It supports participants’ mental health by building a sense of purpose and achievement as they see the fruits of their labour, which in turn helps to build confidence and self-esteem and the first steps towards integration into the wider community;
- It helps people reach their full potential by developing skills and knowledge in gardening and maintenance.
The sessions, which are led by our Green Activities Worker, gently encourage our beneficiaries to engage with services and practice mindful activities to improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
The plants growing in the allotment are a mix of flowers and food. It’s a green oasis in inner city Nottingham and also provides produce that can be harvested and cooked once it’s grown. The cooking sessions, which are led by a sessional staff member, take place alongside the gardening, and attendees are more than welcome to take part in both.
Afterwards, beneficiaries can enjoy the healthy cooked lunch in the seating area. The fruit and vegetables are also taken back to our day centre and are used to cook a lunchtime meal for 15-20 people every weekday.
