The seeds of a project to tackle loneliness and isolation are being sown in Bradford.

It is 12 months since a piece of derelict land in Scholemoor, Bradford, was identified as a potential plot for a community project aimed at creating socialising and friendship opportunities for local folk.

Andrea Pickersgill, community links facilitator for Creative Support, an organisation set up in 1991 originally to support people with learning and mental health issues and help people in local communities, explains the idea to create an allotment came out of a consultation event held last year to find out what people were interested in.

"Of the three things people said they would really like, top of the list was a community allotment and garden where people could come together and work together for the benefit of the local community," says Andrea.

Before they could launch the project Andrea explains they had to source a suitable piece of land which they were able to do with the help of Incommunities, one of the largest social housing providers in the UK.

A piece of land, previously blighted by fly tipping, was located right in the heart of Scholemoor. Surrounded by houses, it was identified as the perfect place to set up a community allotment, a space which local residents could take responsibility for, nurture and call their own.

"It is overlooked by a lot of people who are involved in the project," explains Andrea.

After securing the lease on the land, they managed to clinch a £10,095 grant through the Big Local Lottery fund

which supports community improvements such as training and employment schemes; tackling anti-social behaviour and creating new community facilities or providing more activities for young people.

"This project has turned what was an unsightly dumping ground into a mini oasis," says Andrea.

With an official launch planned for February, the finishing touches are now being made to this amazing green space through the recent 'task day.'

Andrea explains working with other organisations including the Participate Project and BEES (Bradford Environmental Education Service), they have so far implemented pathways and specifically designed raised beds and vegetable troughs to make it easier for wheelchair users to access and maintain.

"It has been an amazing project and involved a lot of organisations," says Andrea.

And the benefits are two-fold. Andrea says a lack of social facilities was identified in the area which is one of the reasons why the creative allotment group was established.

"Loneliness and isolation affects everyone, but especially older people who would otherwise be stuck in their own homes.

"It gets people out and about, benefits their health also it is exercise. People are out in the fresh air and as well as being a community allotment it will be a community garden with benches where people can come and sit," Andrea adds.

Through developing the community allotment, new friendships have also been formed and lives have literally been transformed.

Lois Altham was introduced to the allotment project through Creative Care. She explains she had been ill in hospital, had moved into a flat and attended an open day they were hosting to find out what the over 55s in the area wanted.

"I had just moved into the flat, I didn't know anybody, I didn't know the area so they asked me if I wanted to go to this group," recalls Lois.

From that initial meeting Lois became a volunteer for the organisation. "And that is how I got involved with the allotment."

She says becoming a volunteer has opened up new opportunities: "For me it is getting out, it's meeting people and it is something I have never done before."

Lois' volunteering, not only on the allotment but through courses run by the organisation, earned her a special achievement award which she received at Creative Support's recent 25th anniversary celebrations.

"I felt really good. It was something I was not expecting and being put forward for it, to think people think I deserve it, made me feel really pleased."

Lois is now chairman of the allotment committee and she says the role has brought her new skills.

"I go to different groups showing them what we have done and hold meetings which I wouldn't have had the confidence to do before.

"It gives me a purpose really and it makes you want to get other people involved."

Says Andrea: "It is one of the larger projects Creative Support have been involved in and I think it will benefit a number of people. It has already benefited a number of people but certainly in spring next year it will benefit the whole community."