Allotment Scheme At Vale Community Hospital By Down To Earth Stroud

Developing unused land into raised bed allotments for patients including those in wheelchairs to use at Vale Community Hospital in Dursley, Gloucestershire.

We developed unused ground at Vale Community Hospital in Dursley into allotments for local individuals and groups interested in growing their own fruit and vegetables.

The scheme will see the installation of up to 40 raised bed allotments on spare ground at the hospital which is owned by the NHS.

This development is the inspiration of local GP Dr Simon Opher who would like to see other similar initiatives linked to hospitals. Individuals can apply for an allotment through the new Social Prescription initiative and can be referred by their GPs and other health staff. Support is available in starting an allotment and there will be workshops on different aspects of growing food successfully. Each allotment will be in a raised bed measuring 16’x4’. There will be special matting and ramps to allow wheelchair access, plus a large shed for storage of equipment, seating and tea and coffee making facilities.

In addition to patients being directly referred, it is envisaged that patients who have experienced heart attacks and angina can use the allotments as part of their cardiac rehabilitation. Patients will be referred using a Social Prescription which links patients with non-medical sources of support within the community. Others to benefit will be local people who are on waiting lists for allotments in Dursley or live nearby.

Amanda Godber of Down to Earth, a partner organisation developing the project said: ‘Linking health, nutritious food and physical activity by developing the unused land at the front of the hospital into a suite of allotments for local community groups and social prescribing is such a valuable project. We hope to work with local community groups and involve the community in the whole project. ’

If you are interested in volunteering or being involved in any way please email: valehospitalallotments@downtoearthstroud. co. uk or call: 01453 700011.

Thanks especially to the County Council Active Together scheme which has helped fund this project.