The benefits of allotments
08/01/2024
There are an estimated 330,000 allotments across the UK. On their plots, local people of all ages and backgrounds can tend to a piece of land and use it to grow their own food.
A survey in 2022 by Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) found that 87% of local authorities were still experiencing increases in demand for allotment plots. Some local authorities have always had very long waiting lists for plots but the pandemic caused a new spike.
The National Allotment Society champion the importance of allotments in communities and describe six benefits of allotment gardening. These include social contact, exercise and a connection to the season.
Allotments come in all shapes and sizes. We spoke to two about what makes them special.
A village allotment
The allotments in the village of West Wycombe, in the south of Buckinghamshire, consist of 27 plots. They were established in 2009 and are managed by the parish council on land leased from the West Wycombe Estate. The parish clerk manages the day-to-day running of the site by collecting annual fees, maintaining the water supply, and working with local contractors to keep the hedges and paths tidy.
Simon Cope has been Chair of the parish council for four years and an allotment holder for the last three:
"The allotments are a real asset to our community. Plot holders reflect the full range of residents, from young people, couples with young families, to retired people. Each season throws up new challenges and we all learn from each other. As a fairly new plot holder myself I have benefitted from picking my neighbours’ brains on how to maximise my beans or encourage reluctant courgettes. We all benefit from each other’s gluts of certain vegetables too.
Weeding and tending the soil is a very meditative act. As for many others, during the various lockdowns being able to get out to the allotment was a massive help for my mental health.
The climate emergency is a big concern. We talk about the weather and how unpredictable it is. We compare last year’s heatwave to this year’s rainfall and notice how the tomatoes are at least a month behind where they were last year. Everyone is thinking about how to adapt to guarantee a crop in future years. Many of us have installed additional water butts so we can minimise use of the on-site tap.
There have been allotments on various sites in this parish for decades. They can be seen on old aerial photographs of the village and surrounding countryside. It’s pleasing to know that our efforts follow a long line of amateur horticulturalists who grew their own crops in a shared community space.”
Allotments in the city
Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (BOSF) is a network organisation of people across the city with an interest in parks and open spaces. Their membership includes parks, nature reserves and allotment groups. BOSF supports them to improve their spaces for the local community.
Mat Barber, communications officer for BOSF said:
“There are nearly 7,000 allotment plots in Birmingham. These are spread across 319 sites in the city - more than any other local authority in the UK. They come in all shapes and sizes.
Uplands Allotments in north west Birmingham is the largest site in the UK, and possibly the largest in Europe, with a staggering 422 plots. It opened in 1949 and has its own office and meeting hall. In contrast, Wychbury Road Allotments, has 40 plots. They champion allotments as a lifestyle choice which benefits body and mind.
Another group supported by BOSF is the Walsall Road Allotment site which was under threat when the new Commonwealth Games Stadium was being built. A Twitter account sharing the adventures of Robert the cat was the backbone of a successful campaign to protect the site which is home to growers from over 20 different nations. The tales of Robert and his friends have a worldwide following. There’s a real appetite for stories of allotment life, cats and the value of social connections on allotment spaces.”
Chris Blythe, who is Chair of Trustees at BOSF is an urban food growing researcher at Oxford Brookes University. He said:
“Allotments have long been part of the urban fabric of Birmingham and many other cities. They are a great way for families and individuals to grow their own food. But their value is far greater than just this.
Research has shown that allotments contribute to improved health, greater biodiversity, and greater social interaction and cohesion. We should do all we can to protect them and encourage people to get involved.”
We could help
We could provide insurance cover for your allotment association or community garden. Find out more on the cover we provide on our Community Gardening Group Insurance page.Sources of support
- Protect your plots – advice from National Allotment Society for allotments under threat
- Growing for Change: An urban food garden’s handbook for community, climate and nature – Sustain
- Food growing on prescription – Sustain
