A COMMUNITY allotment is growing from strength to strength after receiving a financial boost from a local community fund.

The Allotment Project has received £17,140 from the Karbon Homes Haltwhistle Community Fund and a further £5,000 from the Haltwhistle Partnership to cover its set up, running costs and workshops for the next two years.

Based at the Hillside Centre in the town, the project aims to provide a safe, accessible and inclusive facility, where residents can enjoy gardening activities and experience the benefits of being outdoors.

Claire Heaviside, from the Allotment Project steering group, said: “Gardening is great for bringing people of varying ages, backgrounds and abilities together. The Allotment Project aims to do just this, alongside reducing social isolation, improving physical and mental health and wellbeing, and providing residents with an opportunity to learn and develop new skills.

“It’s been lovely to see the impact the project has had on so many residents already and we’re very grateful to Karbon Homes and the Haltwhistle Partnership for their support in making it happen.”

Karbon Homes’ £80,000 Haltwhistle Community Fund, administered by the Haltwhistle Partnership, was launched in 2021 and offers support to community projects in the town and surrounding parishes.

“The community allotment is a perfect example of a community-led project, positively benefitting the lives of Haltwhistle residents", said Paul Moralee, community investment manager for Karbon Homes.

Other projects that have received funding include £3,900 to Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre for floodlights and new equipment, £10,000 to Haltwhistle Academy to support its Walking to School Trail, £2,500 to Haltwhistle Scouts Group for a storage container for equipment and £2,000 to the Vindolanda Trust, to support local people to access its Creating Connections project.