Plot to Plate

Aim

Plot to Plate is a free to use accessible community allotment supporting positive health and well-being for local disabled and older people.

Plot to Plate is an allotment that has been created by Disability Direct to be fully accessible to older and disabled people in Derby.

Plot to Plate gives the opportunity for everyone to get some time in the open air, grown their own fruit and vegetables, make friends and get their hands dirty!

  Our aims:                                                                      

• Grow fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants  on an inclusive community allotment that is accessible for all, supported by our staff and volunteers.
• Provide green exercise opportunities especially  for older and disabled people in Derby.
• Raise understanding of how to grown your own produce and highlight how to minimise food waste.
• Support local people with the skills to cook healthy meals on a budget and encourage healthier food choices.
• Develop a sustainable and cheap source of healthy food options to the community.
• Increase the opportunity for social networks and friendships to develop.
• Get the local community involved through open days and activities/workshops.

What we will do with this funding:                                                                                                                                                                       

• Manage and maintain the allotment with the support of our volunteers.

• Buy seeds and plants to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers for use at the allotment.

• Deliver monthly interactive and practical cookery sessions (4 hours) with a focus on healthy eating for disabled and older people.

• Provide green exercise opportunities for all for all, tailoring the support required to the individual, making sure everyone can take part.

• Deliver weekly gardening sessions (3 hours sessions) for disabled and older people.

• Have community open days where we will support local people to explore nature and take part in crafting activities that can be taken home to support the natural environment (such as bee hotels).

• Develop a sustainable, affordable source of healthy food to the community and highlight how to minimise food waste.

• Support people in making and maintaining friendships that wouldn't have been possible without the accessible allotment.

Why we started Plot to Plate 

Plot to Plate was originally the idea of our Operations Director, Sally Austin, who loves the great outdoors but was frustrated that we couldn’t offer the same experiences to our members. In 2016 she applied to the Lottery and was successful in obtaining a grant that provided the money to build an accessible plot. After months of hard work from Disability Direct staff, volunteers and Disability Direct members the allotment has become an amazing space that has given the opportunity for a wide range of Derby residents to work on an allotment, try new healthy foods and make new friends that, without the plot, they wouldn’t have had the chance to do!   

Disability Direct are a local User-Led Organisation created 25 years ago to empower disabled people, carers and older people to make their own informed choices, increase their independence and improve their quality of life.

Have a look at our website to find out more about who we are and what we do.

Thank you for visiting our page!

This project successfully funded on 27th June 2018