By Press Release
On Saturday, gardeners responsible for Vectis Road Allotments (VERA), in East Cowes, invited supporters of the Community Spirited (CS) Café based in Parkside Pavilion to join them to find out more about their allotments and what they grow.
The allotment-holders have provided the café, which works to prevent loneliness and isolation in the East Cowes community, with fresh fruit and vegetables over the past year to distribute to local Community Pantry members struggling with the cost of food.
Founder of CS, Jane Allchorn, said: “We had a lovely tour and enjoyed chatting and finding out about how and what they grow. They presented us with fresh produce to give out to our pantry members next week and a cheque for £300.
“We were so surprised at their goodwill for the work we do. We then had the most wonderful cakes, bread and refreshments.
“It was such a pleasure to meet those who have given us fresh produce over the last year.”
Jane set up Community Spirited in 2007, after she saw the need for an organisation to help local residents look out for one another. One moving experience was of a man she didn’t know who lived nearby on the same small estate. He was scared that he might die without anybody realising, and had asked a number of people for regular phone contact, just so that somebody knew he was still alive. Jane and he shared a weekly phone call until one day he failed to answer the phone. She tracked him down to St Mary’s Hospital and went to visit him. She said his smile, when she explained who she was, will stay with her for the rest of her life. “A phone call was all he wanted,” she added. She promised to visit again, but sadly he died the following day.
As well as the café, Community Sprited now offers home care services and activity sessions and help with administration, home maintenance, gardening and dementia care. If you need help or can support the organisation in any way then call Jane on 296592 or email communityspirited@hotmail.co.uk.
Pictured: John and Sue Hacker who care for plot 16