Joe* has been part of our allotment project for a few years

Posted on | by Marketing and Fundraising Team

Joe* was travelling through Malta when the Covid-19 pandemic began. He found somewhere to stay and started working there to pay for his board and accommodation. Unfortunately, the onset of symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder meant that he couldn’t hold down his work, lost his accommodation and eventually had to return to the UK.

He was rough sleeping when he first heard about Emmanuel House and started using the centre for basic services such as food, clothing and showers. He was assigned a caseworker to help him with his housing who also explained to Joe about the allotment project.

Emmanuel House allotment

Joe really liked getting involved with the allotment and became a regular attendee. He enjoyed the feeling on the plot of being away from the city. He liked to be outside and busy. Joe got involved in lots of things including picking and planting but also clearing and levelling a corner of the plot. 

When the Compost Toilet build began Joe offered to be the assistant to the main contractor and helped every day of the build. He was keen to learn carpentry and construction skills as they would help him with his future dreams to build a modest home of his own. Assisting on the build gave him experience with different tools such as the circular and table saws, as well as how to complete ground works. Due to his outstanding contribution on the compost toilet build he was presented with his own drill to keep.

Included in the allotment programme last year was the opportunity for one-to-one counselling sessions and Joe was able to access these to help with his mental health.

Joe said that being part of the allotment project made him feel ‘like he was back in the world’.  It was ‘good to be part of something, and have the satisfaction of a good day’s work’.

Joe continues to be supported by his worker at Emmanuel House. He is currently living in a hostel and is looking to move into a caravan and then get a job. Feeling more positive, he has set himself the goal of running a half marathon next year.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.