Allotments provide plenty of opportunities for people at Vivo to develop

Vivo Care Choices’ allotments in the heart of the community across Cheshire West and Chester allow people using services to take part in the things they love and grow as individuals at the same time.

People with learning disabilities and autism are involved with a number of different allotments, providing plenty of opportunities for them to develop their skills, build relationships and keep active. Many of the allotments are also maintained in partnership with other organisations, helping form positive links in the community.

Stanlaw Abbey in Ellesmere Port is not only making a real difference to the lives of people accessing Vivo’s services, but it is also helping create a greener and cleaner environment as initiatives like a greenhouse made out of plastic bottles are being put in place.

With the progress made at Stanlaw, further land has been accessed to expand the allotment so more people being supported by Vivo can get involved.

Ray, who visits the allotments in Ellesmere Port, said: “I like doing all the potting and digging.

“It’s all changed from a few years ago as the ground wasn’t like this. There were a lot of holes, but it’s all really coming on nicely now.

“We’ve built our own greenhouse and we’ve got other things we can do when we have wet days.

“I come here two days on a Wednesday and Thursday and I really enjoy it.”