The Wellfield Lane allotments, located between Altrincham, Hale, and Timperley, are part of a community horticulture project led by The Counselling and Family Centre (CFC) in Altrincham.
At the allotments, the charity helps individuals improve their mental well-being through gardening and gentle conversation.
Jim Sales, a counsellor and psychotherapist with CFC, has been welcoming people to the site since the programme launched during the pandemic.
Mr Sales said: “The idea is a simple one, but it’s proving really effective.
“Many people are looking for support with their mental health.
“They might be struggling because of money worries, losing a job or feeling isolated.
“But not everyone wants to sit in a therapy group and talk about what’s going on for them.
“Research shows clear links between wellbeing and spending time outdoors, working with the natural world.
“That’s where the allotment project came from.”
One of the first tasks was digging up raspberry bushes to make space for vegetable beds.
With time and teamwork, a greenhouse was built and a shed installed, gradually transforming the space into a hub of growth and community.
Referrals come from Altrincham Healthcare Alliance through social prescribing, Broomwood Wellbeing Community Centre in Timperley, and word of mouth.
Mr Sales said: “It’s completely free, and people can attend as few or as many sessions as they like.
“What we find is that people throw themselves into the work – the planting, the growing – and gradually open up about what’s troubling them.
“Because I’m a trained counsellor, I’m here to listen, and together we explore their options.”
The impact has been deeply personal for many attendees, with some regaining the confidence to return to work, rebuild relationships, and in one case, train to become a counsellor themselves.
Trafford Council supports the programme through a network of commissioned community mental health services, wellbeing activities, and social prescribing schemes.
Councillor Jane Slater, Trafford Council’s executive member for healthy and independent lives, said: “Projects like this can have a real impact on people’s lives.
“Just meeting others, rolling up your sleeves and investing time in something meaningful – while having the space to talk things through – can make a huge difference.
“We’re proud to support schemes that bring people together across Trafford and promote positive mental health for everyone.
“The team at the allotment project are doing an amazing job – long may it continue.
“Keep digging, because with what you’re doing here, you’ve struck gold.”
Mr Sales believes gardening is a powerful but gradual pathway to recovery and resilience.
He said: “When people face challenges with their mental health, they often want things to change quickly.
“But the allotment project isn’t a quick fix. It’s a slow burn.
“Week by week, just as a plant grows, something begins to emerge. I think of it like an oak tree.
“It comes from a tiny acorn but given the right conditions it can grow into a strong tree.
“We all have the potential to become a mighty oak.”
Initiatives like the allotment project ‘reflect the council’s Fairer Trafford agenda, which aims to break down the barriers residents face around health, and help people live healthy and fulfilling lives’.
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