Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland is going green this month by backing National Allotments Week, which runs from 7 – 13 August.

Hosting the campaign is The National Allotment Society who strive to protect, promote and preserve allotments. The campaign has been running annually for many years and the theme for this year is Soil Health, with an aim to inform and educate gardeners old and new about the benefit of caring for the soil and the creatures that inhabit it.

The week aims to also raise awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of growing, cooking and eating your own fruits and vegetables, as well as the positive impact it can bring to communities.

This follows a successful open day at Oakham's Growers Row, a free community garden project hosted by Root-and-Branch-Out CIC.

Find Growers Row, a community gardening project, at Oakham's Rutland Showground. Image credit: Nub News.

Gardening is an excellent way to keep active and engaged in the community. Here are some of the many benefits of allotment growing:

• Connects you with nature and wildlife
• Good for the environment and ecosystem 
• Sense of pride, achievement and satisfaction
• Promotes a healthy lifestyle 
• Improves physical health and mental well-being. 
• Helps beat loneliness and allows you to develop friendships with other allotment holders. 
• Tasty home grown, fresh and seasonal produce!

This year, the campaign is asking for allotment holders to enter a national competition to create videos and story boards about their own personal allotment story. Visit The National Allotment Society website to find out more and how you can get involved.

Tim Carey, Managing Director of Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland, said: "Staying at home this summer? Spend time in your allotment and grow some fruit and veggies. I'm sure you can agree with me that nothing beats a home-grown spud with a dab of butter and a sprinkle of freshly cut rosemary!

"Gardening is great for our social, mental and physical wellbeing. It's an opportunity to take a break from the busy world and enjoy the peace which nature provides.

"Why not take a snapshot of what you're growing and email it to us? We'll then share it on our social media channels!"     

Bluebird Care is a leading, award-winning provider of home and live-in care, specialising in working with customers who live with dementia, physical disabilities and many other acute and chronic conditions. Bluebird Care works alongside their customers' families, social services and the NHS to ensure each person receives the care they need.

Bluebird Care offers a unique service of tailored care visits which range from anything from 30 minutes to full live-in support. As well as personal care they also help with meal preparation, welfare checks, shopping, social trips, visits to the hospital and provide extra support for post-discharge customers.

For more details contact Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland by calling 01780 480 881, emailing [email protected], or by visiting their website.

Alternatively, let us know about your initiatives and local news by emailing evie,[email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you.