Page 18 - Community Living Magazine 35-2

grassroots campaign
Save our green oasis

An allotment project that provides social and therapeutic
activities and brings peace and nature to a built-up city area is
under threat. Its members are objecting, says Deborah Williams

lthough some people may not want We now face the threat of a radical
to get their hands covered in soil change to our project, as a large gas
Anor relish the company of slugs and company has asked to use our area while
snails, there seems to be an innate it carries out maintenance work for its
pleasure in the life-affirming beauty of a adjacent site, which could potentially
garden or allotment. result in much of the plot being covered
Simply being in an open green space in concrete.
can have a profound effect, invigorating us Our work would be compromised and
with the work involved in its care while the biodiversity that the site supports
calming us too. Gardening can mean would be devastated.
many different things for all of us. A study by scientists at London’s
Sprout There! is a horticultural project Natural History Museum has found that
and part of Uniting Friends, a charity for the UK is one of the world’s most nature-
people with learning disabilities in depleted countries – in the bottom 10%
Redbridge, London. It provides practical, globally and last among the G7 group Tony Wisby: “If it closes, it will cause suffering to
social and therapeutic activities in all of nations. members’ health, nature and the wildlife habitat”
aspects of gardening at Redbridge Lane
West Allotments and supports healthier Taking action coming back after being inside during
eating, using our organically grown Faced with the potential closure of our lockdown,” he says.
produce. It also helps people gain skills for site coupled with the realities of our “Lots of groups go regularly to the
future employment. ravaged environment and climate change, allotment site. The jobs to do are growing
People with learning disabilities have many of our members have voiced their plants and vegetables. I have learned how
been disproportionately affected by concerns and anxieties and a few have to take plant cuttings and pot them. The
Covid-19, and lockdown has resulted in decided to become active in protesting allotment is an important place for
increased isolation, as well as physical and against the proposals. wildlife and the environment.”
mental health issues. Peter Fowke has been part of the All of this could change if the proposals
During lockdown, the project had project for more than two years. He loves go ahead.
never been more relevant and enjoyed by watching nature programmes and is “I think if the gas company build a car
so many. All charity members had access to incredibly knowledgeable about both park, the willow trees in line with the
a safe, beautiful environment and, although plants and wildlife. fence will be gone and it would damage
the plot is situated beside the A12, a major “Sprout is enjoyable for me because I the site, and the allotment may take
route, it provides a green breathing space. have met new people and I enjoyed years to get back as it was in the past,”
says Fowke.
Left: Peter Fowke: “The allotment is an important He has contacted his MP about the lack
place for wildlife and the environment”; below: of support for his own mental health
Tony Wisby is a qualified gardener issues in the past and is worried that, if
the plot were closed, “for people with
learning disabilities there could be
problems in late life”.
Tony Wisby has a wealth of knowledge
and experience and is a great asset to the
project. He has worked as a gardener
professionally in the past and supported
other people with learning disabilities.
“I am a member of Uniting Friends and
a gardener with a City and Guilds in
horticulture. I love the allotment as it’s
great to meet friends and socialise,”
he says.
“I get a lot of happiness putting into the
allotment and what I get out of it, also Deborah Williams
working with plants and nature and to
help the environment.

18 Vol 35 No 2 | Winter 2022 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk