Rachel, Our New Allotment Worker

Here’s an introduction to Rachel and our renewed allotment project.

Hi, I’m Rachel and I have recently taken on the Community Allotment Project Development Worker role for the Fair Shares community allotment, by St. James City Farm.

I am really excited to join the Fair Shares team and have been enjoying meeting different groups and individuals that are involved and are part of the community here.

My working background has been predominantly in mental health services within the NHS and primary education but gardening has been a theme throughout my life.  From watching my grandfather tending his collection of roses, fuchsias and other flowers when I was little, to helping my Mum growing vegetables to feed the family, seeing my brother going on to design and landscape gardens (with a Chelsea Flower Show award too!), to eventually taking on my own allotment and using gardening activities as part of a therapy programme within memory services, I could not be happier to have this opportunity to use my skills and knowledge and love of the outdoors to become involved in the project.

Alongside getting involved with the traditional growing of vegetables, fruits and flowers, the allotment space also offers the ideal location for learning and education, such as short courses on various aspects of gardening,  provide an environment to support and promote wildlife and boost insect populations essential for healthy plant growth and pollination and as the season progresses, a pleasant space to relax with a cup of tea or share a pizza (once we get the oven up and running!) whilst listening to the birds singing, the bees humming and watching flowers and vegetables grow.

I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming months, hearing your ideas and supporting anyone to get involved with this exciting project and space.  We’ll be organising lots of activities at the allotment over the next few months and a Harvest celebration at the end of summer, so do pop along on a Thursday between 11am and 3pm for a chat, to share any ideas you have and find out more.