EcoLocal have developed a large comunity allotment where people can learn gardening skills hands-on.
Drop-in volunteering sessions available Monday afternoons and Friday mornings at the Westmead Road Allotment site (entrance off Colston Avenue). For keener, able, gardeners, there may be opportunity to volunteer with our resident gardener on other days.
No need to book and the sessions are free! Come along and learn fruit and veg growing skills, get some free exercise in the fresh air, meet loads of interesting new people and improve your well being and outlook on life. We always have different activities to take part in; planting seeds, pruning, digging and harvesting. With support from an enthusiastic, experienced gardener, you can choose what you'd like to grow and find a comfortable level of physical activity.
You'll need to be prepared to help at the food growing sessions, weeding, watering, sowing and growing, you even get to take a share of the harvest home to eat - for free!
Wear appropriate clothes and footwear you don't mind getting muddy, and be prepared to get wet and/or dirty from time to time. Bring warm clothes too if it's a cold day.
The allotments are accessed from a driveway that runs between 33 and 35 Colston Avenue. We are a 5 minutes walk from Carshalton Station Close to the following bus routes; 127 stops on North Street near Carshalton Station, approx every 15 minutes (weekdays)/30 minutes (Sundays) 151 stops at Wrythe Green approx every 10 mins (weekdays) every 20 minutes (Sundays) 157 stops on North Street near Carshalton Station approx. every 12 minutes (weekdays)/20minutes (Sundays) S3 can be stopped anywhere on Colston Avenue every 20 minutes Mon-Sat only There is limited car parking on the access road to the allotment site and Colston Avenue.
You don't need to be a gardener to come along to this project, all skill levels are catered for. If you know lots, then we can use your skills to teach others, if you know nothing, we'll find someone who can show you the ropes. Volunteers with all levels of fitness are welcome, gardening is great exercise! Volunteers with mild learning difficulties and/or mental health needs are also welcome.
Exercise, fresh air and sense of wellbeing in a peaceful outdoor environment. Meet new people, or work on your own - it's very flexible. Everybody who takes part at the community allotment tells how good they feel afterwards. Take fresh veg home.
Part of the allotment is wheelchair accessible with raised beds. However wheelchair users should assess the accessiblity for their own specific needs, as the access track is long and sometimes muddy and bumpy. The toilet is not fully wheelchair accessible but has a ramp and is accessible for some wheelchair users. People with mild learning disabilities, dementia and other health problems are welcome. However, participants need to be able to follow instructions and work independently safely. We cannot provided one to one support.