Allotments and Wellbeing. A Green Space for Healing and Hope

Q. Tell me a bit about yourself.
A. I came to the UK from Jamaica when I was nine years old. I trained as a motor mechanic and ran my own workshop for 20 years till I decided to join the bus service and became a bus driver for nearly 30 years.

Q. How did you continue so long as a bus driver?
A. I liked the job, I like to help people, and I looked after my passengers.

Q. How did you get involved with the allotment?
A. When I retired, I was stuck indoors getting bored with nothing to do. My sister is a member of the allotments. Her husband passed around that time, so she asked me if I  would like help. I said, "Okay, I’ll have a go." Since then, I've been part of the allotment. 

Q. How has it been going?
A. Since joining, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had 36 sessions of radiotherapy, which is a lot. Since the cancer diagnosis, coming to the allotment has really helped me.
             
Q. How has being part of the allotment helped?
A. It's helped me to get exercise, to sit out in the fresh air, and to talk to the other plot members. It’s just a pleasure being here, it’s a lovely spot.  I don't know what I would do without it.  I would like to see more people in my position, living with cancer, to be able to get a plot and be able to share the same experience I’ve had.
 

Q. What would you like to see more of?

A. I'd like to see more people of colour and those living with prostate cancer taking part and having plots.  There are quite a few plots here that are vacant, waiting for the Council to allocate. I'm sure there'd be people who would be interested in coming and taking over a plot. There could be a Community Wellbeing Plot, with a Cancer Group that could get people living with cancer involved. They literally have nothing to do indoors, so a Wellbeing Plot would really come in handy for them