“Working on the Swan House allotment has given me a purpose.”
These are the words of Nathan – a former rough sleeper who has been living at North East Lincolnshire Council’s Swan House for the past year.
Two years ago, the council funded an allotment on the nearby West Marsh site for residents of Swan House to work on. Since then, Nathan and fellow residents have worked tirelessly to bring the neglected plot back to life.
People living in Swan House have previously slept on the streets and have moved into apartments within the block, where they also receive intensive support from the council’s partner, Humbercare.
Support workers help residents to look towards their goals, working on their health, accessing long-term accommodation and getting back into training, education, and employment.
As part of this support, residents who are willing and able work on the allotment, giving a sense of routine and developing new skills.
Ben, one of the Humbercare support staff, told us: “The allotment gives the residents a sense of purpose. When we first got the allotment, it was very overgrown, we couldn’t grow anything before sorting it out.
“As well as giving them that routine and purpose, we find that it’s easier for people to open-up when we’re busy working. I’ve had deeper conversations on the allotment than I’ve ever had in the Swan House office or in their flats.”
Nathan has lived at Swan House for nearly a year and works on the allotment every day.
He said: “I feel so good at the end of the day because I’ve done something with my day. I’ve done some hard labour and it feels good. I love it down there.
“There’s a few of us that go down there daily and we all love it, we have a laugh, talk about stuff, and get some work done.”
Cllr Paul Batson, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Infrastructure and Transport, visited recently, meeting Nathan and some of the other residents who work on the allotment.
He said: “It’s clear to see how much the allotment means to the residents of Swan House. Not only is the project giving rough sleepers somewhere stable to live, and the support that they need to move into longer term accommodation in the future, but the allotment is also giving them valuable life skills – and their tomatoes are delicious!”
The Swan House team is looking for more things to grow on the allotment, to expand their skills and try something new. If you have any seeds or plants that you could donate, please email homelessness@nelincs.gov.uk
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