An allotment on the Nunsthorpe has been transformed by a group of young people looking to make a positive difference.
The space, on Winchester allotments, was a wasteland covered in grass and knee-high weeds before students and staff from Creating Positive Opportunity (CPO) got their hands on it.
A year on from getting the site, the team have installed a chicken coop, pond, numerous flowerbeds, a shed and a polytunnel – whilst learning life skills at the same time.
Funded through Clear, Hold, Build – a Council led partnership initiative – the allotment has given the younger generation and others a place to call their own.
One of the learners at CPO, Josh Ward, has enjoyed learning new skills whilst going down to the allotment. He said: “We’ve been harvesting crops, measuring up for a summer house and I’ve even built a chicken coop.”
He added: “I’ve enjoyed it from the second we started. Working as a team and coming together to do something positive has been a great experience.
“My favourite part overall has to be building the chicken coop – I was very proud of myself when I finished that.”
CPO Managing Director, Stephen Ryder, also believes it’s important that this space isn’t just for the younger generation, but for anyone who may find it useful.
The allotment has been used to help improve the mental health of the younger generation through the JEFF Project and Community Payback has also played a part by building the pond and other parts on the site.
Trace Fitzsimmonspell, Community Payback Operational Manager, said: “The team has really enjoyed working on this project and so have the people we support. One of our priorities is to provide high-quality projects for people on probation, enabling them to take pride in their work and feel valued. This project achieves that, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support such worthwhile work.”
Stephen added: “This is not just for young people. Those who may be dealing with illnesses like dementia or have additional needs have also benefitted from it. This allotment has been great for everyone, not just those involved at CPO.
“Just getting outside, being active and getting hands dirty, has been positive and you can really see the impact it’s had on the people using it.”
Stephen added: “A lot of the young people that we work with are from around here and proud about it.
“Giving them something like this where they can see a positive transformation has instilled pride in them and given them a real sense of belonging.
“It proves that young people aren’t a pain or a problem – they can be positive, constructive and give back to the community.”
For some of these learners, like Jack Kennedy, the initial idea of an allotment wasn’t very exciting, but soon became something they loved.
“When it first started as a big plot of mud we wondered how we could make this into something positive. I didn’t want to do it initially, but seeing it progress has made me realise how much I like it.
“There’s been hard times where we’ve had to dig in, but we’ve carried on and it’s great to see what we’ve achieved.”
He added: “It’s taught me a lot about perseverance and improved my social skills massively too. I’ve met new people and at the same time we’ve created something for the community that they can use and enjoy.”
The idea itself started with Head of Youth at CPO Emma Jackson, who already had a passion for gardening.
“One of the learners wanted to plant seeds and we had nowhere to do it so we looked at different spaces and this seemed like the best way.
“When we got here the weeds were so tall, but we all came together to clear the place. In Spring, everyone started transforming the space; from building the pond to putting in several flower beds – it’s been brilliant.
“Initially, I wasn’t sure if the kids would enjoy it, but when they got here they all loved it. They’re learning whilst having fun at the same time.
“For a small space, there is a lot going on.”
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