Headway - Southampton, Allotment Project

Aim

We support those with acquired brain injuries (ABI) and wish to raise funds to support our clients allotment project with tools & materials

Headway works with those with acquired brain injury (ABI). Funding will help us with our allotment programme.  

Our allotment will provide a safe therapeutic activity for our service users to help improve their sensory-motor and cognitive function, as well as quality of life.  Gardening and being in nature stimulate the senses, enhances memory, and promotes problem-solving skills. It will provide our clients with a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and self-worth, whilst learning new skills and a new/renewed interest in nature.

The allotment will aim to boost confidence, self-esteem, and creativity. Allowing our service users to explore and develop new interests and talents in a fun, safe and relaxed environment.

The allotment will also provide a social opportunity that will reduce isolation, loneliness, and exclusion. Our group activities at the allotment will foster peer support, friendship, and mutual understanding as well as creating a sense of belonging and community. We plan to have a shed and poly tunnels so we can utilise the allotment in all weathers. We will also be looking to install a small, decked area with benches and seating, providing a safe space to sit and engage in conversations and rest, when needed.

We will also be providing an environmental benefit to the area, providing a safe green space that can enhance the biodiversity, aesthetics, and quality of the local area. Vegetables and plants will be chosen to attract wildlife, this will lead into other activities.

We will also be utilising this project to help combat food waste and food insecurity, fruits, vegetables, and fresh flowers grown will be used within the service in our cookery and creative arts projects as well being shared with the local community and other green projects. 

This project will also engage with the local community to help with the project in the form of volunteers, sharing knowledge and skills as well as befriending our clients. 

Where possible we will be using recycled materials within the allotment that we have already secured.  The funding would help with the purchase of the following items:

•    Large shed 

•    Greenhouse / Poly Tunnel

•    Guttering to connect a water butt.

•    Rolling water carrier

•    Wood to make raised beds.

•    Topsoil

•    Table and Chairs

•    Tools – gloves, trowels, shears, plants, and seeds

•    Gardening books

•    A few paving slabs and some gravel to make the area safe for those that need to use it.

This project successfully funded on 30th November 2023