Young people have a positive impact at Thornaby allotment

2nd August, 2011

The allotment project has proved to be a great success with young people from Five Lamps’ Youthy.

With support and advice from Thornaby Allotment Association and the local allotment owners, the young people have done some wonderful work and completely transformed the allotment. They have worked extremely hard with the upkeep of the allotment, painting fences and sheds. There are also three compost bins in place and being used.

The allotment project has been enormously successful in making it accessible for all young people, including our special needs group who attend Five Lamps’ Youthy on a Friday night. Raised flower beds have been built to enable all young people to more easily plant seeds and care for them. A great deal of construction work was carried out, with paving laid all around the flower beds to enable a sturdy environment for the young people to stand on when at the allotment and to make sure any young people who use wheelchairs, would be able to have full access.

Thornaby Allotment Association has been of great support by offering advice and giving free fertiliser. They have recognised that young people can have a really positive impact and have taken the work that they have been doing seriously, showing a great change in attitude.

Kevin Nottingham from Thornaby Allotment Association said “It’s great to see young people at the allotment. They are all doing a great job. Thornaby Allotment Association will continue to provide help and support to the young people”

Unfortunately the young people did face some drawbacks in the winter due to the adverse weather condition. The 2 new poly tunnels which had been set up were damaged beyond repair and the vegetables which had been planted were lost. Local allotment holders have been extremely helpful and generous in helping us to replace the plants from their own excess and offering advice and guidance on how to best look after them.

The young people have decided that the next project is to plant fruit trees and flowers to be handed out to and used within the local community. The young people plan for the vegetables to be used within The Youthy for various cooking projects to further develop the skills of the young people.

Lauren, Peter and Jake who regularly help at the allotment said “I had a fantastic time”, “it’s brilliant’ and “it’s fantastic”

The enthusiasm and hard work of all of the young people involved has been fantastic to see and they should be very proud of themselves.
 

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