Wandsworth Council and Age Concern launch unique scheme to cut allotment waiting times

A unique new scheme is cutting waiting times for allotments and helping older people take care of their gardens.

Waiting times for allotments have reached an all-time high across the country as a new fad for growing your own takes hold. Under the Garden Partners scheme, people who are on the Wandsworth waiting list are being matched up with people over 60 who are unable to tend their own gardens.

The scheme is a partnership between the council’s allotment’s department, Age Concern Wandsworth and NHS Wandsworth, and is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Garden owners and volunteers are assessed and matched according to their interests. The ‘garden partners’ decide jointly what should be grown, and share any produce grown. No money changes hands and the garden partners draw up a written agreement about who should pay for plants, equipment and so on.

As well as giving volunteers garden space, the scheme also helps prevent older people becoming isolated.

Volunteer Susan has been tending the garden of Vivienne, an elderly Battersea lady, since Christmas, as part of a limited pilot scheme. This pilot has proved successful, and the scheme will now be expanded.

“It’s made a real difference and it’s nice to have the company. I can’t see the garden but I can tell that I’m getting more light,” said Vivienne, who is visually impaired.

“There have been a few teething problems, but on the whole it’s worked very nicely,” said Susan, who was on the allotments waiting list for more than three years. She visits the garden once a week in winter and twice weekly in summer. 

“I’ve planted potatoes, beans, tomatoes, herbs and spinach and we share what we grow. I’ve got a tiny garden where I am and it’s nice to be able to turn the soil over here”

Garden Partners coordinator, Sarah Jackson from Age Concern Wandsworth said: “Managing the garden can be an increasing struggle for older people. At the same time, there are many people without access to outdoor space who long to garden. This scheme will help to bring unused garden space back to life and improve the well-being of everyone involved.”

Councillor Jim Maddan, cabinet member for adult care services, said the scheme helps solve a number of different problems.

“This is such an obvious solution, I’m surprised we didn’t think of it before. Gardening has been proven to be very therapeutic and a way to help the disabled as well as the elderly to remain active and enjoy a full life. This scheme reduces the allotments waiting list, helps older people take care of their gardens and encourages people to get to know older people and become friends with them.”

Graham Mackenzie, Director of Commissioning at NHS Wandsworth explained the health benefits of this scheme.

“We are delighted to support this innovative project. Gardening is a great way to improve physical fitness and it encourages healthier eating. We highly recommend the project to anyone who is interested in gardening or simply getting more active”

Find out more about allotments in Wandsworth at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/allotments. Find out more about Garden Partners at www.ageconcernwandsworth.org.uk or ring 020 8877 8940.