Firth Park

The Sure Start Community Allotment idea began in 2005 with a suggestion from a local resident. Two overgrown allotments in Firth Park were taken on for development by Sure Start and Heeley City Farm. Volunteers from the local community and all over Sheffield mucked in to change a tangle of bind weed and bramble into a working site open and accessible to all ages.

The allotment is family-friendly and open to all ages but with a focus on families with children under 5. Activities on site include drop-in gardening sessions, beginners gardening courses, cooking, and creative activities such as den-making, painting plant pots and lantern making. Sessions vary with the seasons but there is always something going on, no matter what the weather, for families and for volunteers. Extended sessions are held in the school holidays. The produce grown is shared out at the sessions or cooked up in the shed kitchen so everyone can have a taste.

Everyone who attends an allotment session gets stuck in be it planting flowers, helping with the cooking and washing up, sowing seeds or pushing the wheelbarrow. There is something to suit everyone. People learn from each other and the allotment staff about growing fruit and vegetables, about cooking, about wildlife and about interacting with the outdoors.

Regular activities:

1. Beginners gardening courses
2. Volunteer sessions (adults only)
3. Drop-in
4. Toddler Time
5. After School Time
6. Group visits

Children can come to the allotment either with a parent or guardian or they can come on a visit from their nursery, school or community group. Also available is the Sure Start Community Allotment Mobile Garden Toddler groups and community groups working with young children can request a visit from the Mobile Garden which brings the allotment to the comfort of their usual venue and all the activities can be linked to the EYFS.

To find out about current activities available contact First Start Children’s centre on 0114 2039307 or email helen.stathers@sheffieldpct.nhs.uk

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