Grow your mental wellbeing this National Allotments Week

It’s no surprise that spending time outside and getting busy in the garden is great for your mental health; and there’s no better example of how tending to allotments can help your wellbeing than the GoGreen project, run in Colchester by one of our charity partnerships the Youth Enquiry Service (YES). 

What is the GoGreen project?

The GoGreen project is a community garden in Colchester where young people can go to spend time outside and nurture everything growing there. In the allotment area, fruit and vegetables are grown from seed and, when harvested, are turned into delicious simple meals made in the on-site kitchen. Any extra food is given to local food banks, ensuring that many people in the community also enjoy the benefits of the allotment space.

The Charlie Watkins Foundation (CWF) has supported this project with funding for essential gardening equipment, including a shed, a large gazebo and a new summer house, called Charlie’s Cabin.

What are the mental health benefits?

As well as the benefit of tasty produce, the young people who use the space have said that spending time outside, getting involved in the gardening and working with others has helped improve their mental health. The University of Sheffield even conducted a research project which found that people who have an allotment space reported a range of wellbeing benefits.

Spending time surrounded by nature is great for improving mood, reducing stress and boosting self-esteem. Plus, joining others outdoors allows you to meet new people and build a community of peer-support. Charlie’s Cabin has been a great addition to the garden for this, as it is a safe place where young people can share their concerns or simply chat with their peers or their project leaders.

How can you get involved?

If you feel inspired to tend to your own allotment, the National Allotment Society have resources on their website to help you find out where your nearest allotments are, and how to start growing.

You can also help support the continuation of the GoGreen project, as well as many others, by donating to Charlie Watkins Foundation. Your generous donations have helped us support and fund many amazing organisations working to help improve young people’s mental health.