What was once a wasteland of grass and knee-high weeds on Winchester allotments has been revitalised over the past year by students and staff from Creating Positive Opportunity (CPO). The team has installed a chicken coop, pond, numerous flowerbeds, a shed, and a polytunnel, all while learning essential life skills.
Funded through Clear, Hold, Build – a Council-led partnership initiative – the allotment now serves as a dedicated space for the younger generation and others in the community. Learner Josh Ward highlighted the positive experience, stating, “We’ve been harvesting crops, measuring up for a summer house and I’ve even built a chicken coop.” He added, “Working as a team and coming together to do something positive has been a great experience. My favourite part overall has to be building the chicken coop – I was very proud of myself when I finished that.”
Stephen Ryder, CPO Managing Director, emphasised that the space is intended for everyone, not just young people. The allotment has also been instrumental in improving the mental health of young individuals through the JEFF Project. Additionally, Community Payback contributed to the site by building the pond and other features.
Trace Fitzsimmonspell, Community Payback Operational Manager, commented on the project's success: “The team has really enjoyed working on this project and so have the people we support. One of our priorities is to provide high-quality projects for people on probation, enabling them to take pride in their work and feel valued. This project achieves that, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support such worthwhile work.”
Ryder further elaborated on the inclusive nature of the project, noting its benefits for individuals dealing with illnesses such as dementia or those with additional needs. “Just getting outside, being active and getting hands dirty, has been positive and you can really see the impact it’s had on the people using it,” he said. He also expressed pride in the young people involved, stating, “Giving them something like this where they can see a positive transformation has instilled pride in them and given them a real sense of belonging. It proves that young people aren’t a pain or a problem – they can be positive, constructive and give back to the community.”
For some learners, like Jack Kennedy, the initial prospect of working on an allotment was unappealing, but the project's progress changed their perspective. Kennedy shared, “When it first started as a big plot of mud we wondered how we could make this into something positive. I didn’t want to do it initially, but seeing it progress has made me realise how much I like it.” He added, “It’s taught me a lot about perseverance and improved my social skills massively too. I’ve met new people and at the same time we’ve created something for the community that they can use and enjoy.”
The initiative was conceived by Emma Jackson, Head of Youth at CPO, who has a passion for gardening. She explained, “One of the learners wanted to plant seeds and we had nowhere to do it so we looked at different spaces and this seemed like the best way.” Jackson noted the collective effort in clearing the site and the subsequent transformation in Spring, stating, “Initially, I wasn’t sure if the kids would enjoy it, but when they got here they all loved it. They’re learning whilst having fun at the same time. For a small space, there is a lot going on.”
