Barnabus is a very special homeless charity in Manchester that has been helping people get off the street or out of temporary accommodation into their own homes for over 35 years. This is what Neil Cornthwaite from Barnabus told us about their allotment project and the impact it has had for those involved.
“For the friends we support at Barnabus, our allotment project is about so much more than growing vegetables. It gives people the chance to get outside, learn new skills, build routines and importantly, have something positive to look forward to each week.
Over the past few months, our friends have been growing pumpkins at the allotment, carefully looking after them and watching them develop. After all that hard work, the pumpkins were finally ready to harvest!
Our friends harvested the pumpkins and with a little help from our Housing Team, turned them into something delicious: homemade pumpkin soup. It was a lovely opportunity to enjoy the results of their hard work together and share something they had grown themselves.
The allotment gives our friends a real sense of achievement. From planting a seed
and learning how to care for it, to seeing it grow and eventually harvesting the
finished produce. They can see the direct results of their time and effort.
It also helps build confidence, patience and responsibility. Caring for plants means
turning up regularly, planning ahead and paying attention to what they need. These
are important skills that can be carried into other areas of life.
The allotment gives our friends a space to spend time together, enjoy being outdoors
and take a break from the challenges they may be facing. Seeing the pumpkins go
from small plants to a harvest that could be shared over a bowl of homemade soup,
is exactly what the allotment project is all about.
At Barnabus, we support people experiencing homelessness with more than just a
safe place to stay. Through practical support, accommodation, guidance and
opportunities like our allotment project, we help our friends build confidence, develop
new skills and take positive steps towards a more settled future.”
Barnabus is a member of our Homeless Hub and we are already discussing how we support their work with another grant.