COMMUNITY garden projects in Basingstoke are being praised for helping improve the lives of residents.

The National Lottery Community Fund is using National Allotments Week (August 12 -19) to highlight what difference allotments and community gardens are making to people’s health in the area.

While people initially go to grow fruit and veg, sharing the space and experience with others means that they can enjoy personal growth and other health and well-being benefits too.

As a result, many find themselves feeling better rooted within their community – branching out to make new friendships and reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Inspero’s Green Therapy project, which recently received £10,000 of National Lottery funding to support vulnerable adults to cultivate and manage a community garden, learning about gardening, healthy food and various arts and crafts.

The project brings together people who are at risk of loneliness and isolation - particularly older people and those with various physical and mental health conditions – and gives them the opportunity to socialise, grow in confidence and learn new and exciting skills they otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn.

Inspero founder, Catherine Waters-Clark, said: “Inspero’s Green Therapy project supports older people, young adults with disabilities and students with mental health problems, and the funding from the National Lottery will enable the organisation to deliver weekly classes over the next year.

“Attending the project improves mental, physical and emotional well-being as well as making new friendships.

“Growing food together, sharing knowledge, learning new skills and having opportunities to cook and eat the fruit, vegetables and herbs everyone has nurtured helps to build a sense of community and belonging.”