Andrew
Thornbridge Road Allotments, Great Barr
Andrew confides about struggles with stress, his breakdown, and the positive impact of his allotment, including the camaraderie of 'shed nights’.
Carol
Moor Green Allotments, Moseley
Carol remarks on his mental health and coping with the death of his wife. He concludes: ‘I have come here to stay for life’.
Diane & Nicola
Gospel Lane Allotments, Acocks Green
Diane and Nicola agree that their plot has been the love of their lives for 20 years. After a recent bereavement, the allotment has helped them through their grief.
Cheryl
Thornbridge Road Allotments, Great Barr
Cheryl comments that her children have been involved on the family’s plot for all their lives.
Ester, Alex & Grant
Lime Tree Road Allotments, Ward End
Alex expresses that allotments foster well-being – and mentions the smell of petrol beyond the allotment gates.
Balbir
Victoria Jubilee Allotments, Handsworth
Balbir believes allotments are important for the mind and her plot helps keep her fit and feeling young: ‘I can’t survive without an allotment!’
Karen
Northleigh Road Allotments, Ward End
Karen’s daughter has mental health issues – she describes how she took on an allotment to try to create a better life for her.
Chris
Moor Green Allotments, Moseley
Chris reflects on feeling more connected to her German roots on her allotment plot than anywhere else.
David Taylor
Longmeadow Crescent Allotments, Shard End
David ventures that allotments tick all the government boxes for the modern age: five-a-day, recycling, beating depression and tackling obesity.
Brian & Colin
Guinea Gardens Allotments, Edgbaston
Brian and Colin reveal that eating around the holes on homegrown organic vegetables 'gives a perspective on disappointment'.
Diane & Nicola
Gospel Lane Allotments, Acocks Green
Diane and Nicola reflect on Derek’s Alzheimer’s disease and the kindness he received from the allotment community. They discuss re-designing the allotment for someone with Alzheimer’s and their amazing neighbours.
Cheryl
Thornbridge Road Allotments, Great Barr
Cheryl mulls over why she thinks allotments are good for well-being. She loves her allotment and has an emotional connection with it.
Karen
Northleigh Road Allotments, Ward End
Karen explains how the allotment community helped and supported a young boy with behavourial problems.
Steve & Chris
St Margaret’s Road Allotments, Ward End
Steve explains that he needed a hobby to keep himself busy and his mind active since he retired. He enjoys the different nationalities around the site and learning from people.
Keith
Hay Green Allotments, Bournville
His allotment helps Keith to be lost ‘in his own world’, particularly as he doesn’t have a garden himself.
Jeevan
Victoria Jubilee Allotments, Handsworth
Jeevan suggests the allotment is a healing space, particularly during lockdown.
Diane & Nicola
Gospel Lane Allotments, Acocks Green
Taking what they’ve learned from Derek, Diane and Nicola consider what they do now on their allotment
Ish
Lime Tree Road Allotments, Ward End
Ish suggests there are many physical and mental health benefits to gardening; his motto is ‘from the soil to the soul’.
Karen
Northleigh Road Allotments, Ward End
As a carer for her parents, as well as supporting a daughter and brother with mental health issues, the allotment provides Karen with essential breathing space. She remembers how Mick taught her daughter maths using the scales at the allotment stores.