24 October 2025

On 16 October 2025, staff and service users celebrated the end of the first year of the Woodfield Road allotment project. The blossomed into a vibrant community space where service users and staff come together—nurturing both nature and wellbeing through shared experiences that support mental health.

The project, which was originally funded through a capital bid, saw an unused green space turn into a thriving reserve which blossoms with a variety of vegetation: from vegetables such as tomatoes and turnips to mini orchids and wildflowers. This was a time to celebrate the hard work of all involved and to enjoy the fresh and organic produce of the allotment. 

A crisp afternoon typical of autumn, staff and service users gathered at the allotment. Upon arrival, you could smell the aroma of the hearty stew which had meat accompanied with the freshly grown carrots and cabbages from the allotment. Music was playing whilst mouths were being fed and more importantly attendees of the party were engaging each other in conversation. For those who were new, members of the allotment group showed them around, showcasing the plants and vegetables that had been fully grown and the seedlings yet to blossom. One attendee of the party said that it was “good to see people turn out regardless of being a service user or not, and just come together to celebrate a community initiative”. Another attendee said they were “really proud of the work over the last couple of months and happy to see it come to life”. 

Reflecting on the journey, Tom Parnell, Occupational Therapy Associate Practitioner said: “We were given an exciting opportunity to transform a neglected piece of land into an allotment. With help from the estates team, we worked with landscapers to bring our design to life. Once the allotment was ready, we planned how to divide the space between different  groups.” 

Tom explained how the team applied for extra funding for plants and tools and were lucky to receive generous donations. 

“We held an open day where staff and service users shared ideas about how the space could be used,” Tom said. “We wanted the project to be as collaborative as possible. Although service users weren't involved in the initial plans, many have become regulars. Each session begins with a check-in, followed by choosing tasks as a group. We’ve done everything from gardening and maintenance to cooking outdoors and visiting other gardens like Kew.” 

Sarah Peel, Head Occupational Therapist (Westminster) and lead for the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health Community Rehab team, added: “It’s been wonderful to celebrate how far we’ve come turning a bit of overgrown land into a space that really brings people together. I’m so proud of everyone who’s been part of it. Hearing people’s feedback today was lovely, and I’m really excited about the next phase of the project.” 

“We are about to submit another bid for the next phase to develop the space further – including plans to create a more substantial accessible covered seating area so we can do groups in the rain or shine. Also, we are going to keep the group going on a monthly basis, to keep the momentum up, plan for next year and also visit local gardening projects to get inspiration and link attendees in with other projects.”  

The weekly group will take a short break over winter and restart sessions in the new year. During the break, they’ll gather feedback from service users and staff, reflect on what’s worked well, and plan for the future. They also hope to stay in touch with the group through meetups and garden visits. 

Well done to everyone involved. The Woodfield Road allotment has grown into more than just a garden — it’s a space for connection, recovery and community.