November 2021
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34<br />
Wanstead Village Directory<br />
A LOT TO LOSE<br />
In the sixth of a series of articles by plot holders at the Redbridge Lane<br />
West allotments – which are under threat – Deborah Williams of Sprout<br />
There! introduces two people for whom the site is very important<br />
Since Cadent gas company has<br />
requested to use the Redbridge<br />
Lane West allotments to undertake<br />
maintenance on their adjacent site, there<br />
has been an outpouring of support to<br />
preserve this precious green space.<br />
Sprout There! (Uniting Friends) is a<br />
horticulture project for adults with learning<br />
disabilities based at the allotment. We provide<br />
our members not just practical skills but a<br />
social and therapeutic space for everyone<br />
who attends. For some who have struggled<br />
with isolation and their mental health, being<br />
at our allotment can be a transformative<br />
experience. To lose the site, its community and<br />
its biodiversity would be yet another blow.<br />
Just listen to Michael and Clare’s story.<br />
Michael Jacques (volunteer)<br />
I have looked after my brother Paul who has<br />
Down’s syndrome since 2009. I was a full-time<br />
carer for our mum too, who passed away in<br />
2011. Uniting Friends do a terrific job with<br />
my brother Paul and he enjoys going there. I<br />
wanted to give something back, so in 2012, I<br />
found out they had an allotment and applied<br />
to be a volunteer. I met Deborah who runs<br />
the allotment and it turned out she was the<br />
inspiration I was looking for. She gave me the<br />
growing bug and I haven’t looked back!<br />
I left school at 16 and worked on a building<br />
site. I learnt a lot, which has helped with the<br />
allotment. I have made compost bins and a<br />
leaf mould bin from decking boards, as well<br />
as benches from old pallets. I do the usual<br />
digging, hoeing and weeding, which is neverending,<br />
but I would not change a thing.<br />
The allotment is very important to me; it’s not<br />
easy being a carer. It can be hard physically,<br />
mentally and financially. While Paul is at<br />
Michael Jacques<br />
Uniting Friends he is being looked after, so<br />
I can go to the allotment and enjoy myself.<br />
I hate to think what I would be doing now<br />
without it. It has been a lifeline. It has given<br />
me a sense of well-being, and without the<br />
allotment I would feel lost. Things may be<br />
tough, but with the allotment, I’m happy.<br />
Clare Grant (employee)<br />
I have been attending the allotment since July<br />
<strong>2021</strong>. I used to be an admin assistant in the<br />
Uniting Friends office but now I have started<br />
a new role working with Deborah. I have<br />
learnt a lot from her about planting, sowing,<br />
watering, plant names and everything that<br />
goes with it. The allotment makes me feel<br />
relaxed, happy and not stressed. It makes me<br />
feel great inside. Cadent gas company will<br />
destroy what Uniting Friends has done here<br />
and for all of the people who use this site. This<br />
is a place where we grow our own fruit and<br />
veg. I would feel very annoyed and upset if<br />
this ever happens.<br />
For more information on Sprout There!,<br />
visit wnstd.com/st<br />
Clare Grant<br />
To view the petition to save the Redbridge<br />
Lane West allotments, visit wnstd.com/rlw<br />
To advertise, call 020 8819 6645 or visit wnstd.com
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