Alive has two community allotments, one in Brentry, North Bristol, and another in Brislington, South Bristol. Here we offer supported gardening and socialising sessions for people living with dementia and their carers.
Alive allotments give you and your loved ones access to the therapeutic and social benefits of gardening without the pressure of day-to-day maintenance.
As of April 2025, we also run a monthly session just for carers.
About Our Allotments
Alive has been running gardening sessions for older adults and individuals living with dementia for over ten years, witnessing firsthand the positive impact gardening can have on someone’s mental and physical health.
While at the allotment, participants can engage in activities set out by one of our horticultural therapy experts or simply enjoy good company and being outside, surrounded by nature and the sound of birdsong. Trained volunteers will be on hand to assist if required and to help create a welcoming atmosphere. Activities are tailored to the participant. Flower pressing is a popular summer activity, as is watering and tending to our tomatoes.
The allotments are fully accessible. There is a shelter for when the elements are against us, and we have a compost loo onsite. At the end of every session, there is a chance to chat and share a joke over a cup of tea and biscuits!
How It Works
Sessions run at the North Bristol allotment every Monday and Tuesday afternoon from March to October and one day a week from November to February.
Sessions run at the South Bristol allotment every Monday afternoon from 28 April 2025.
These sessions are open to anyone in the community living with dementia, and their carers, relatives or care partners. The groups share the fruit, vegetables and flowers we grow all year round. Surplus produce gets donated to local groups.
We now also have a carers’ session at our North Bristol Allotment on the third Wednesday of the month. These sessions are for anyone caring for someone with a diagnosis of dementia, as well as for people whose loved one has recently gone into a care home or has passed away.
Cost
Sessions at the allotments are free. If people would like to contribute to the running costs of sessions at the allotments, they may do so here.
You may book a place on any of our sessions using the forms linked below:
Care Home Visits
Alive welcomes visits from care homes to our award-winning, dementia-friendly allotment in North Bristol. Find out more about this here.
Other Community Gardening Opportunities
Alive are proud to offer a variety of therapeutic horticulture opportunities across our community. Find more about our other gardens and projects here.
Community Gardening Newsletter
The Community Gardening team sends out occasional newsletters, subscribe here.
Volunteering
We are always looking for volunteers to support our Community Gardening and other work. If you want to support us through volunteering, find out more here.
To find out more about our Community Allotments, please call Guy on 07423719088 or email communitygardening@aliveactivities.org.