January 2011
Allotment Project Produce Sale
An Allotment Project Enabling People with Mental Health Problems to Lead a more Fulfilling Life, Continues to Bear Fruit…
Leeds Jewish Welfare Board’s mental health care service Neshama held its second produce sale on 19th January at the Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Community Centre. Home-made chutney, potted daffodils, herbs and grow your own pots were on sale alongside hand-made calendars and cards.
A disued garden space behind a Leeds Jewish Housing property prompted the set up of the Allotment Group three years ago. Social workers Clare Sanderson and Paul Townend alongside an enthusiastic group of volunteers applied for funding to create a community garden. The project has been very successful with more and more people attending each week to dig, plant, grow and harvest fruit and vegetables.
Lead volunteer Naomi Drapkin is now taking control of the group. "She is a great motivaor and has real vision from the project", says Clare.
There is a lot of research to suggest that mental well-being and producing something creative can improve people’s mental health issues. It is highly therapeutic, lifts depression, reduces isolation and offers a form of physical exercise that can be highly effective.
In the last year the group visited similar projects, with a trip to Harlow Carr and other RHS gardens providing inspiration to help the group plan for the forthcoming season.
"It is very rewarding to see something you have grown yourself in the Summer come to fruition in later months", says Janine Field, Neshama Manager
