How an allotment is helping people with cancer
A volunteer hard at work in the new community garden Credit: Phil Graham
A new community allotment plot is helping to support people affected by cancer through activities and crafts.
The plot, which is located at Cardiff council’s Forest Farm allotment site, was previously overgrown and out of use.
It has been brought back into use by the local allotment society in partnership with two cancer support charities, Maggie’s and Ray of Light Wales Cancer Support.
Allotment site representative Phil Graham explained how the journey started and said: “We created a pond during lockdown…and Maggie’s got in touch about the possibility of a walking group that they run taking a break by the pond. That’s where it all started.
“When a plot became available, we thought it would be good if they could do a bit more. The idea was that we could create a community garden, a space where they could do a bit of wellbeing, some crafts, as well as some growing. Somewhere people could reflect and just chill out.”
After this, in association with Maggie’s and Ray of Light Cancer Support, the project applied for and received a £6,000 grant from Keep Wales Tidy.
This money was put towards raised planters, a new shed and new fruit trees - but before that could happen, there was a lot of work to do.
“It was a challenge,” said Samantha Holliday, from Maggie’s. “There were some beautiful plants, but it really needed lots and lots of work doing to it. We were really, really lucky that we’ve managed to get lots of local businesses to come in and donate their time to do some of the more manual, heavy work.
“Everybody who has been involved, even on the days when it’s been really raining, the community effort, that’s probably been my favourite thing,” added Samantha. “All these people, the two charities coming together to create something beautiful for people to share.
“Maggies is here to support anyone affected by cancer, at any time and now we’re planning to have a gardening club once a week with Ray of Light Cancer Support, in the summer we’re hoping to use the site to deliver some Tai Chi sessions, some relaxation, some yoga and even have some of our cancer support specialists come down to the site to deliver the ongoing work we do at Maggie’s, but in a different type of environment.”
Sue Norris from Ray of Light Cancer Support added that the area has been “transformed into this beautiful space” and said that the next stage is to starting planting vegetables.
“Ray of Light Cancer Support has a connecting with nature group that runs every Tuesday where we use sustainable materials to create crafts,” continued Sue. “Now we’ll be able to walk down here and there’s this lovely area for our beneficiaries to come and just have a little bit of time for themselves.
Cllr Jennifer Burke, Cardiff council cabinet member for culture, parks and events, said: “Allotments can be about so much more than growing and it’s fantastic to see the community at Forest Farm developing such a positive initiative. We work really hard to support our plot holders wherever we can, and what has been achieved here is something really special.”
Keep Wales Tidy Project Officer, Nathan Jones, said: “Being outdoors has such a powerful impact on wellbeing, and we’re thrilled this allotment will make a real difference.”
