Doncaster allotment 'probably saved my life' after illness blow

Things took a downturn for the 30-year-old from Balby at the end of 2018 when he started to be concerned he was ill.

He was finding signs of bleeding, and feared be may have bowel cancer. He was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary for treatment, and was given the all clear from any tumours.

But all was not well – and he was diagnosed instead with a condition called ulcerative colitis - a long-term condition where the guts become inflamed.

It left him suffering chronic pain. His joints hurt and his immune system was affected – he describes it as feeling ‘wiped out’.

Having previously worked as a security guard for a supermarket company, he was forced to give up his job.

That was not all. A detached retina, combined with the effects of his illness led to him losing his sight in one eye.

The illnesses took their toll on Brad mentally too – and led to depression. He says at the worst times he suffered from suicidal thoughts.

But last winter he found his way through his problems – when he took up an allotment.

Now he feels it has saved his live and helped him cope with shielding during the coronovirus pandemic, and wants others to know the health benefits allotments can provide.

"I used to be a security guard at Sainsbury’s in Edenthorpe,” he said. “I had to leave the job because of my illness. I had no symptoms until I was aged 28

"I was feeling suicidal at times.

"I used to walk past the allotments on the way to the doctors. They’re on Greenfield Lane in Balby. You can see them from the window at the surgery but I’d always thought allotments were for old people.

"Then one day I spoke to a man there, and he said they had a couple of younger people who kept allotments. I signed up for one and got an email saying I’ve been successful. I went to have a look and decided to give it a go.

"One day I was in the house feeling down and fed up – then I went to the allotment, started weeding, and it took my mind off everything. It’s a sort of therapy for me. I’d tried going to a talking shop, but that wasn’t for me.

"When I first got there, the gate would only open a little way. It was full of weeds, old rubbish, and barbed wire and old bits of wood with nails in.

"Since then I’ve put carpets down to stop the weeds. Old scrap has been removed, I’ve had a couple of bonfires, and put the weeds in a compost heap.

"I drew pictures of how I wanted it, and it went from there.”

Now Brad has polytunnels growing grape vines, strawberries and potatoes growing, and apple and pear trees. He even keeps chickens and ducks. He gave away eggs to friends and family during shortages early in the pandemic. He says he is surprised when he sees empty allotments because his has had such a beneficial affect on his health.

"I’m really proud of how it looks now,” he said. “It looked like a bomb site when I first took it on. I got a book off a website for £3 about growing vegetables. A couple of months later I got chickens from a trust which re-homes battery hens, and I’ve incubated and hatched ducks. I have to hatch them at home or rats would eat them.

“I’m over the moon with it – if I have a bad day with pain I just go the allotment. If it wasn’t for the allotment, I’m not sure I’d be here today.”

Experts at the NHS acknowledge the effect allotments can have on improving mental health.

And Doncaster has seen a surge in concerns over mental illness in recent months.

Last month, it was revealed that calls to a service which provides care to emergency mental health patients in Doncaster had more than doubled since pre-lockdown.

Kelly Hicks, who set up the People Focused Group, one of the partner organisations behind the Safe Space service in Intake, estimates calls have surged from around 300 a month before the coronavirus crisis, to around 800 a month.

Wendy Ferguson, professional lead occupational therapist at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Allotments bring so many benefits both mentally and physically. There is something very satisfying about growing your own fruit and vegetables and being outside in the fresh air.

“Mental illness can be very isolating, so gardening provides a sense of purpose and structure. It’s also a great physical activity for anyone – regardless of their age and ability, and there’s something very satisfying in harvesting fruit and vegetables that you’ve grown from seed and nurtured.”

Allotment provision in Doncaster is split into several categories.

Some are direct-managed and run by Doncaster Council Allotments Service; some are self-managed by being leased from the council but run entirely by local allotment associations; some are run by town and parish councils; and some are privately owned and run

However a survey carried out in October 2019 revealed that there were approximately 2,427 Doncaster Council direct managed or self managed sites; and about 800 parish and private sites – a total of 3,227 across the borough.

For the Doncaster Council owned sites there are approximately 1,176 people on a waiting list at present, with around 200 on parish or private waiting lists.

Around 185 are thought to be vacant, but those are due to issues with the plots such as drainage, rather than lack of interest, says officials.

> Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritans free any time on 116 123 or email [email protected].