“I was a complete beginner at growing vegetables and having learned so much in this first season. It’s is so satisfying being able to produce beauty vegetables for the food bank. Very often no fresh food is provided by Food Banks or is offered approaching its sell by date. Whereas we harvest our veg and deliver within half an hour. I have made new friends and enjoy the whole experience of working with others and learning from them. We also have a lot of fun.”  

“I first volunteered on the allotment because I thought it was so important that people needing to use a foodbank received some healthy fresh produce not just tins and packets. I also enjoy being out in the fresh air gardening. I soon discovered even more benefits such as belonging to a new friendship group with similar interests and learning about the crop growing cycles of the changing seasons and no dig organic gardening.”

“It is great to be involved in such a worthwhile and essential project. We also get so much from it: friendship, enjoying outdoors space and valuable learning experience. It’s a win-wins here”

“It was always my plan to volunteer in retirement or take on part-time work, but I wasn’t sure how to start. My son suggested getting an allotment, knowing how much I enjoy growing fruit and vegetables — I knew managing a plot alone would be too much. Then my neighbour got a plot and invited me to visit. I was instantly captivated. A few weeks later, I put my name down to be a volunteer. The rest is history. At E4Grows, we’re a fantastic team—working hard, sharing laughs, and supporting the local community with fresh produce. I’ve found purpose, connection, and no longer worry about feeling isolated in retirement.”