Hove YMCA AllotmentThe Y-Dig it Garden is an exciting gardening project for vulnerably housed people in Brighton and Hove. The site is based at Eastbrook Allotments in Portslade and consists of 2 allotment plots where we cultivate all kinds of vegetables.
Come and help us out. You can:
- Learn new skills
- Get help looking for employment,education or training
- Gain a BHA achievment award
- Work towards your community punishment hours
- Get some fresh air!
We are always looking for helpful people to give us a hand.
For more information phone Niki (Allotment worker) on 01273 771414.
About Our Project
Over the last year and a half our team of workers and volunteers have laid paths and put in 26 raised beds to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit (apples, raspberries, blackberries & strawberries!) We have built a lovely big shed for our tea breaks and also have a BBQ and picnic area.
We are creating a wildlife area and have planted a native hedge and dug a pond. We have also created several carved wood garden sculptures.
Now is the time to get involved!
Plans are to create a beautiful garden: including constructing more raised beds – for growing vegetables, herbs and flowers; weeding and ground clearance; putting up a Pollytunnel; to make more garden sculptures and art.
But isn't gardening boring?
Young people at the BBQ
Not in this garden!…..gardening can creative, relaxing and fun! There are many different jobs to do ranging from:
- gardening
- woodwork
- garden design
- making environmental art
- selling the fruit
- vegetables & herbs
- building structures
- publicity
- writing a Newsletter
You may already have some of these skills but it doesn’t matter if you have no previous experience. You will have the chance to develop your gardening skills, team working skills, gain confidence, make new friends, eat lovely fresh fruit and vegetables, get exercise and fresh air.
We are able to provide some lunch on site. We also plan to have regular picnics and BBQ’s to sit back, relax, eat some of the lovely food we’ve grown. Tea and coffee is provided.
When does the allotment run?
The Allotment workdays and times are as follows:
Tuesday 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 11am – 4pm
Friday 1pm – 4pm
You can go up everyday or you can choose one or two of the days that suit you.
How will I get to the allotment?
We can reimburse the cost of a Day Saver bus ticket to and from the allotment. There is a regular bus service, a map and bus details are available on request.
What should I wear?
Wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty! We can provide you with a pair of work boots, waterproof jacket/trousers and gloves.
What happens to the food once it's harvested?
You will have the chance to take some of the lovely fresh fruit and vegetables home. We will have regular picnics and BBQ’s. The rest is up to you. This year our produce was taken home by the participants, surplus produce to the various YMCA Houses. Some of the produce was sold to the YMCA Residential Staff and some was taken to the Older Peoples’ Lunch Club at Marmion Rd. Do you know of another charitable project to whom we could donate our produce? Next year we aim to sell our produce at a couple of local farmers markets.
Training and Work Opportunities
- You can use hours worked on the Allotment towards gaining a Brighton Youth Awards Certificate. If during the project you get a job or enter a training course, you can keep the hours you’ve already logged and pick them up at a later stage.
- We can support you to build a Portfolio of the work you do on the Allotment Project – including photo’s and details of work you have been involved with, Health and Safety training received, Gardening training received. This can be good to show future training and work placements that you may apply for.
- We have information available on various other Courses and Training opportunities that are relevant to the kind of work we do at the allotment.
- We have links to other Voluntary Work Placements - If you show commitment to this project, attending regularly, working hard, being a good member of the work team – we can support you and give you a reference to other organisations.
Community punishment orders
If you have Community punishment hours to serve you can work on the Allotment garden to work off your hours. If you are interested, please speak to your Case-manager at Probation/YOT.
How do I get involved?
For more information on joining our team, to arrange a visit or work taster day phone Niki (Allotment worker) on 01273 771414.