Unity Volunteers Spruce Up Allotment
SIFA Fireside's allotment project at Harborne Lane, Selly Oak was launched in 2008 and appointed Dr. Birgit Kehrer to oversee the development of the project. The aim is to provide a therapeutic but also productive service to both Service Users and Volunteers and encourage them to grow their own produce and use it for our residential sites and for the b-Well Healthy Eating Group.
Due to the poor British weather in the last few months, the allotment was not seen to on a regular basis and soon became unkempt and in need of some urgent attention and tender loving care.
In May 2009, we were fortunate to have a group of volunteers from Unity Bank to rise to the challenge and restore the allotment to its usual form, come rain or shine. Despite the unpredictable weather the team were faced with on the day, the volunteers were full of team spirit and keen to continue with the fruitful challenge ahead. The group were briefed and equipped with resources and got stuck in with the hard grafting duties such as taking out the stubborn weeds and unearthing the grounds, to sowing the seeds.
In return for their hard work and commitment, a special lunch was organised by Dr. Birgit to boost the team’s energy levels and motivate them to badger on with the task at hand. The end results were fantastic and a rapid transformation took place, much to the volunteers’ surprise. The new and improved allotment will enable SIFA Fireside volunteers to keep up with the maintenance of the allotment and enjoy its fruits.
Unity Trust Bank (“Unity”) is an ethical bank and a leading provider of banking services to the social economy, Trade Unions and small to medium size enterprises. More information about Unity can be found at www.unity.co.uk
A special ‘Thank You’ and acknowledgement to everyone who took part on the day:
Anna Colledge, Carmel Randell, Scott Allen, Sarah Card, Alan Davidson, Michael Tarrant, Terry Jones, Robert Weeks, Fiona Ritson, Jayne Rose, Dr Birgit, Peter and *Anthony. Well done team!
*Name has been changed to protect identity