Accessible community garden near Liverpool to make activities inclusive for all

St Helens Council has unveiled a new project to set up a community allotment at Cabbage Hall Allotments, near Liverpool, for elderly and disabled people.

The project includes the creation of raised beds and paved paths throughout the allotments to make the entire area fully accessible, regardless of age or ability. The site is wheelchair-accessible, featuring a new portakabin which will be used to host workshops, presentations and activities for visiting adult and children’s groups.

The community garden was made possible through a £25,000 grant from Enovert Community Trust and £3,500 from St Helens Councillor Improvement Fund.

Volunteers from the allotment site were responsible for delivering the project.

Cllr David Baines, leader of St Helens Council along with councillors Gill Neal and Mancyia Uddin, attended the allotment’s opening plant sale event on 18th May.

Cllr Neal told the St Helens Star: “Cllrs Baines, Uddin and I were delighted to support this project and grateful to all those who have provided the funding to make it happen. The Community Garden is an accessible space to support health and wellbeing and provide opportunities for people to learn new skills.”

Cabbage Hall Allotments is a non-profit association run by volunteers, which raises funds by selling surplus fruit and vegetables grown throughout the year, as well as through the sale of items related to keeping an allotment. All funds generated are used to maintain the community allotment.

Sharon Martindale, Chair of the Cabbage Hall Allotment Association, added: “Cabbage Hall Allotments have been going for over 70 years and this project will ensure that we can continue to play an active role in bringing the community together.

“With our fully accessible allotment, all members of the community can enjoy learning how to grow vegetables and flowers together, encouraged by our knowledgeable and experienced growers.”