Health Champions and patients at City View Medical Practice have been successful in securing a bid to help them start work on a plot at the Clarkesfield Allotments in Beeston.
[private]Health Champions are people who, with training and support, voluntarily bring their ability to relate to people and their own life experience to transform health and well-being in their communities through a variety of activities and events. A number of patients from the practice expressed an interest in the gardening project and after liaising with the Clarkesfield Allotment Committee the practice managed to secure a plot.
Joe Maiden announced on his Sunday Gardening programme on Radio Leeds that a wealthy local business man wanted to put something back into the community by supporting local projects. The Health Champions at City View submitted a bid, were successful and the first tree was planted on the plot on Thursday 21st August by Joe Maiden. The Champions and patients will receive a variety of fruit trees and bushes (e.g. 2 apple trees, 2 pear trees, 2 plum trees, 2 gooseberry bushes, 2 blackcurrant bushes, 2 red currant bushes, 2 white currant bushes) to plant on their allotment, together with the fertilizer to help get them started. Joe will also be on hand to offer advice. It is anticipated that the projects supported by the mystery benefactor will become part of the Prince Andrew Charitable Trust.
Patients working on the allotment can hope to benefit from: the exercise, the social interaction with the group and other allotment holders, improved gardening skills and they will also benefit from the fresh fruit and vegetables grown, all of which will help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals. Once the trees and plants are established cuttings will be taken and given to other local groups. Surplus fruit and vegetables will be given to members of the local community and classes will be held to show people what to cook with the fresh produce.[/private]
