Who are we?
Good question! ESCAPE Allotment Project was set up with strong local support and in recognition of the high levels of rural isolation, deprivation and lack of help for mental health issues in the area.
Aim: To support and improve life opportunities of people in the community with mental health issues, low physical activity, isolation or emotional wellbeing.
What do we do? 
We work closely with local services, such as GP’s, schools and mental health services who refer vulnerable individuals to us for specialist support.
By encouraging their involvement in community activities we are supporting people to be active and valued members of society. We equip them with skills and experience to increase their independence, self esteem and confidence. This in turn empowers service users to address their mental health problems and plays a part in their recovery or health management plans. Our work produces long term and significantly positive effects for their futures.
As well as spending time on the regular allotment sessions, we support people through a range of additional activities including:
- Workshops • Craft making sessions
- Social cooking sessions • Skills days
- Wider community activities • Supervised gardening activities
- Training events
Why we need your help
The project is continuously raising funds to sustain itself and provide valuable support for vulnerable members of the local community. There is an increasing wealth of evidence supporting Eco therapy as a therapeutic approach to addressing mental health needs and social exclusion.
The services we provide enable local people to come together to offer mutual support, learn new skills and meet new people. This time of year can be especially hard for vulnerable and isolated people and we need your help to spread some Christmas joy!
How your donation could make a difference
With your help we can reach more people in the community who need our help.
£5 could enable us to provide tea and coffee for a week for 40 people
£10 would buy enough compost to raise over 300 seedlings, or feed our chickens for a month
£20 would buy enough seed to produce enough plants to fill a large polytunnel with fresh produce that supplies 40+ people
£25 would fund the cost of ingredients for a ‘Meet and Eat’ session
£50 would enable us to put on a social cooking event for 30 people
£100 would cover our pitch fees at plant fairs for a year
£150 could buy all our seeds for 1 year!