The Guild Care ‘Sow & Grow’ group marked a season of success at Humber Avenue Community Allotments as they gathered to sow and nurture a thriving crop of marrows, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a variety of other vegetables. The group was set up in April as part of Guild Care’s Creating Connections initiative to combat social isolation among older people and has already yielded significant growth in both produce and participation.

Since the project’s launch, the Chair of Humber Avenue Allotments has twice expanded the Guild Care Sow & Grow group’s access to land and raised beds, enabling them to cultivate an even greater array of plants. The newest area developed by the gardening group features raised beds designed to be accessible for people with mobility challenges, ensuring more older members of the community can enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of allotment life.

 The partnership between Guild Care and Humber Avenue Allotments continues to flourish. To maintain this momentum, the Sow & Grow group are inviting more members and volunteers to join them in sowing, growing, weeding, watering, and harvesting fresh produce. No previous experience is needed.

As recognition of their contribution to allotment life, Guild Care will now feature on the Humber Avenue Community Allotments website alongside other local charitable organisations such as West Sussex Mind and The SAND Project.

Commenting on Guild Care’s Sow & Grow group, the Chair of Humber Avenue Community Allotments, Terry, said, “The growth of involvement has been remarkable, and a committed group has emerged. We are delighted to be able to offer a full-sized plot for the coming season and look forward to offering help and support.”

Guild Care Sow & Grow group member, Diane, added, “When I retired and moved into a flat with my husband, I missed gardening. That’s why I chose to get involved with Sow & Grow at Humber Avenue Allotments. It’s peaceful, calm, and serene up here. So far this year we have grown spring onions, beetroot, tomatoes, chilis, cucumbers, runner beans, butternut squash, lavender, sage, parsley, and mint. Come and sow and grow at Humber Avenue Allotments with us.”

For more information about joining the Guild Care growers, please contact the friendly Creating Connections team at [email protected] or call them on 01903 528635.

 To discover the full range of activities available throughout the week for people aged 65 and over through Guild Care’s Creating Connections, visit Creating Connections - reducing social isolation and loneliness.