Plans to grow allotment work after funding boost

A charity helping homeless people hopes to expand its work at an allotment after receiving new funding.

The Friary, which runs the allotment at Loughborough Road in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, has been offering free weekly sessions for homeless people to meet new people and learn new skills.

The project has received £165,000 funding from the National Lottery over a three-year period, which will allow it to continue.

Jen Blake, who runs the scheme, said that as well as gardening the service helps people with cooking, arts and crafts and other skills.

She said the new funding will help the charity in its hopes of expanding what it can offer to people.

"We've had lots of volunteers from the local community and I think everyone who comes down here absolutely loves it," she added.

"It's a gorgeous space to be in.

"We've probably had about 50 service users come down from The Friary and everyone who comes down says it really helps with their mental health."

Gary Douglas, 61, said The Friary's allotment had helped improve his social life.

"It's been brilliant," he said.

"You meet new people and what have you, and it gets you out of the house."

Paul Elliott, 45, said The Friary "helped me get back on my feet" when he was homeless, and now volunteers himself down at the allotment.

"It's not all about the gardening side of it - there [are] games going on, and a lot of the volunteers come down to help out, for their mental health as well," he said.

"I'm grateful for the way they've supported me - it's like a family more than anything."

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