DUSTON'S 'GROW TOGETHER' ALLOTMENT SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PANDEMIC

13th December 2020

Duston’s ‘Grow Together’ Allotment keeps people active while in Tier 2. 

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Its aim is for the allotment to be a community facility for all ages. Jenni, who is the manager, is trying to encourage young and old people to work together. 

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Being in a pandemic, many people are stuck inside. The ‘Grow Together’ Allotment gives people the chance to get out of the house and feel productive.

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Seeing something grow after the hard work put in, allows people to feel a sense of pride that they have accomplished something.

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Going to an allotment can also help with your mental health, as it gives you something to strive towards.

This is an opportunity for people of all ages to get involved with growing produce.

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You can volunteer at the allotment each month. The allotment can get you outside in these tough times giving the community something to work forward to.

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There are many opportunities to volunteer such as: digging, planting, weeding and harvesting. Visit the Duston parish council website to find out how you can get involved.

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As it is the end of the season you will not be able to volunteer on the allotment till next year. However, there is Christmas lunch at Duston Community Centre on the 16th December at 12:30pm which everyone is welcome to.

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Sarah Hillier of Mind Northampton said: "I think that the pandemic has brought for lots of people new struggles. For most of us we are on a spectrum around our emotional wellbeing and so it is important that there are opportunities particularly during the pandemic for people to go out and be at one with nature."

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"Seek help through their GP or go online there are plenty of services and people that you can talk too if you are really struggling."
 

The ‘Grow Together’ Allotment won a Judges Award at the East Midlands in Bloom Awards in 2016. They have also won 2 further Gold awards at Northampton in Bloom and were also part of the East Midlands in Bloom Silver Award in 2019.

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If you want more information about Duston's 'Grow Together' allotment visit either their Facebook or Twitter page.

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