We are a community allotment project for people in Barnet who have experienced mental health difficulties. Our aims are to provide a safe space for users to rebuild and maintain social skills, regain structure in life and to experience the therapeutic benefits of gardening and co-production - our ethos is Nature, Nurture, Reward. We are run by present and post mental health service users who volunteer their time.
Our project is very much in its infancy but has proven increasingly popular. Our project allows for people to experience a group setting without feeling overwhelmed, to grow in confidence through learning new practical skills, and to improve their wellbeing by being physically active and eating good fresh organic produce.
We have won two years ground rent from the London Borough of Barnet Adults and Communities, but we have no further funding. We have had some donations of gardening tools from friends, neighbors and colleagues, but we're in desperate need of further funding for materials and equipment. We need things like a petrol lawnmower, rotavator and strimmer, as well as regular gardening tools. We would also like funding for some form of club house/hut where we can shelter from the elements when needed and also conduct various therapeutic activities, i.e. art therapy, cooking classes etc. We need picnic benches (at the moment we have nowhere to sit, eat or cook). We also need cooking apparatus such as a BBQ/gas hob etc. Finally, the soil content of the plot is high in clay and thus very difficult to grow from and work with, so we'd also like to purchase large quantities of top soil if possible.

We envision a vibrant plot full of colour and edible growth, with a functional club house and sufficient funds to make purchases whenever necessary. Please help us continue in our dedication and hard work for the benefit of the community! Thank you!