Join us for a free event down on the allotment!
Do you know someone who would enjoy this article?
There’s a special free event coming up soon at our community allotment.
Here, Raddon from our team there tells us more – and gives tips on how you can even grow something tasty at home on your windowsill!
How would you sum up what the Caritas Lalley community allotment does and your work there?
I think what we do here has three main objectives.
Firstly, we grow organic food for our community pantry next door, helping people accessing that service eat more healthy and tasty veg that would come at a premium in shops.
Secondly, it’s somewhere people can come to improve their wellbeing and learn new skills by getting involved directly, such as by helping out as a volunteer or just enjoying being outside with a brew.
And thirdly, it’s a space for nature in the city, as we actively try to improve the variety of habitats and food sources for pollinators, birds and all other living things.
Overall, the allotment exists to improve the social and ecological wellbeing of our community, centred on growing food as sustainably as we can. My job is to make sure the site is being used as best it can for food production, whilst being a welcoming and accessible space for people and a home for wildlife too.
How does it benefit the local community?
Our site benefits people living locally through the fresh food it provides straight to our pantry, which nearly always goes on the day it was picked.
We’ve had some lovely comments about how much people enjoy the fresh harvests compared to shop-bought veg.
It’s also an important social space, as using the site for a chat with friends is actively encouraged!
Time outdoors in peaceful green spaces has been proven to help improve our mood and feelings of connection to nature, so just soaking up the atmosphere is really valuable too.
You’re holding a special event in July. What can people expect?
We are! Afternoon at the Allotment, on the 12th July, will be a relaxed afternoon outside with the chance to make your own pizza in our oven, try some gardening, harvest vegetables, for children to play garden games, and to hear live music from a folk band.
Free refreshments will be provided throughout the day too, and there’s no pressure to get involved with any activities you don’t want to!
If people want to come along, what should they do?
If you’d like to come along, just turn up at the Caritas Lalley Community Allotment, Eggington Street, M40 7RN, between 1-5pm on the 12th July, no need to book!
Pizzas will be going from 1pm and live music will follow later. If you’ve any questions about the day, email us on lalleycentre@caritassalford.org.uk or ring 0161 205 2754 to get in touch.
Any tips for people wanting to start growing their own produce at home, even if they only have a pot on a windowsill?
My advice would be to start small and with something you know you’ll enjoy the taste of, whether that’s one type of vegetable or a herb like mint to make your own herbal tea.
Choose the spot outside or on a windowsill that gets the most sunlight and water less often than you think, around once a week (or more on hot days, as soil can retain water below even if it looks dry on top).
Some easy pot/windowsill plants you can still sow from seeds now are lettuce, radish, beetroot, coriander and basil.
If they can’t make it to the event, how can people get involved in the community allotment in other ways?
We have three open sessions a week that anyone can drop in for on Mondays 10:30-1pm, Thursdays 1:30-4pm and Fridays 2-4pm. If it’s your first time, please just contact us on lalleycentre@caritassalford.org.uk or ring 0161 205 2754 to confirm the session will be running first.
You can also get involved as a volunteer and take on some responsibility for growing on the site and welcoming other visitors, if you’re interested just sign up by clicking here.
What if people need other support such as food provisions? Can you help?
Absolutely, our food pantry is open twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30-12:30pm. We offer a heavily discounted food shop starting at £5. To access this, please just come down to the Lalley Centre from 10:15am on either day and we’ll get you registered and help support you.
If you’ve never visited the allotment at the Lalley Centre here before I’d really recommend stopping by for our celebration on the 12th July, or during an open session before then.
Whether you like gardening or haven’t yet had a chance to try, time spent outdoors can really help with relaxing and putting worries to one side. You might even get hooked and start growing at home too!
Find out more about our Lalley Centre, Community Pantry and Allotment by clicking here now.