Page 67 - ALG Issue 2 2019
P. 67

    Derwen Housing Association, Newport, South Wales
Back in 2017 both myself and Judith Hill, Wales Regional Rep, visited Newport to discuss the Housing Association plans to include areas for growing for their tenants. At the time we just looked at proposals for growing spaces from a plan.
The development was just in the process of being built. Some 18 months later mid-February 2019, I visited the completed complex with Vic Mills from the Association, who is responsible for the grounds maintenance which included the new growing areas.
What I saw was so impressive, and I am sure you will agree from the pictures that the raised beds are first class. There are 13 beds which are 8x4 and three feet high. There’s a lovely block pavement all around the growing spaces, which makes them really accessible to all. The beds were awaiting top soil, and then Vic will start the process of letting them. This is a really exciting project and I will again be writing on this and its progress over the coming issues of the magazine.
GARDENING AND WELLBEING
I am sure you will all agree that after spending a few hours on our allotments we feel so many benefits. But what the experts are telling us is that it is also good for our mental health. I was so fortunate
in having worked in Horticulture most of my working life before retirement. When I retired, my old council contacted me and asked
if I would like to help run their Therapy Garden. Swansea Council’s Occupational Health Dept has a patch of land in the Botanical Gardens at Singleton Park. Staff, who are on long-term sick or staff who are in work and are finding it stressful, are encouraged to come along on a Tuesday to spend time in the peace and tranquility of this beautiful garden.
We grow a variety of vegetables and the staff who attend take the harvest home. It’s amazing the feedback we get; some people have never done any growing before and after working on the Therapy Garden have found space in the garden at home to start growing vegetables. Swansea Council encourages staff to request two hours off on a Tuesday to speak to their line managers for permission to join the group.
Peter Ryan, Wales Mentor
 Allotment and Leisure Gardener 67
























































































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