Westbank sows the seeds of a new partnership with Jack’s Patch
Westbank Community Health and Care is embarking on the second stage of its redevelopment of the charity’s Community Allotment at Exminster with the support of Jack’s Patch, part of Otter Garden Centres.
Jack’s Patch, based in Bishopsteignton, has kindly offered to support Westbank in developing its Community Allotment, a strip of land behind the charity’s Healthy Living Centre on Farm House Rise in Exminster. Volunteers from Kier Construction stepped in to support Phase One of the project, which involved preparing and levelling the ground and creating a pathway to make the allotment accessible to wheelchair users. The involvement of Jack’s Patch marks Phase Two of the project - establishing the allotment and cultivating fresh produce to help supply Westbank’s Community Cookery School and two Community Larders. The long-term aim is to create an outdoor community space that’s accessible to all, supporting people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Katie Elliott, Westbank’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing, says, “Westbank is often supported by local businesses who generously donate equipment or skills, and sometimes both! This kind of help is invaluable to our charity, and we’re absolutely delighted that the latest business we’re developing a partnership with is Jack’s Patch. Two members of their ‘Plants Team’, Dave and James, carried out an initial recce on site in mid-September, and they returned to start work at the end of September and again this month. Before embarking on the Community Allotment, they spent a full day pruning and weeding to make our Sensory Garden winter-ready.
“Jack’s Patch will be giving us the benefit of their horticultural expertise over the coming weeks and months, in what we hope will become a long-term partnership. They’ll be helping us to understand what we already have growing and how best to look after it, also advising us on how to make the best use of the space we have. As well as their time and skills, Jack’s Patch is kindly supplying us with materials to ensure our growing project gets off to a healthy start, including plants, seeds, planters, plant food, fencing, sleepers to make raised beds, and even an arbour to shelter and relax in. They have also generously offered to help manage the rest of Westbank’s outside space on an ongoing basis to ensure our Sensory Garden, borders and raised beds look as attractive and welcoming as possible.”
Jack’s Patch Branch Manager Emma Devonald says, “The team are really excited to be involved - this is a project we were really keen to support, not just now but for the long term. It’s a pleasure to provide materials for the allotment and share our expertise, from helping plan how best to use the space to advising on what and when to plant. As a garden centre, we know how valuable access to green spaces can be for wellbeing, and we hope everyone involved in the community allotment gains a real sense of joy from it.”
Westbank will be sharing regular social media updates about the progress, and plans to put up a branded plaque in the allotment to thank Jack’s Patch for its generous support.
A group of Westbank volunteers routinely work in the allotment on Fridays, and will be keeping on top of things between visits from Jack’s Patch. If you would like to join them, the charity is always keen to welcome new volunteers, green-fingered or not!
You can find out more about opportunities to volunteer in the Community Allotment by following the Volunteer Opportunities link on the charity’s website: westbank.org.uk
