Derby County Community Trust’s allotment ‘The Dug Out’ gives our participants the perfect chance to get outdoors, get active and socialise. But for Marion and Derek it has done more than that.

In her own words Marion says ‘I get a bit of me back’ when she spends time at the allotment.

Having been a part of our Extra Time Hub since 2019 the pair were no stranger to the work of the Trust and started coming to the allotment in April 2021. Marion gets a lot out of her time at the allotment as it provides her with a support network alongside local charity Making Space to help look after Derek who has dementia.

The staff and participants help Derek feel involved while at the session, providing music and puzzles for him to do while he is there, which has helped him remain active and stay awake longer in the day. The group have even looked after Derek at the allotment so that Marion has been able to go out and get her hair done, which she is not normally able to do.

Marion says she “loves being out in the fresh air, the community spirit and the great chats over tea, coffee and biscuits.”

You can learn more about the ‘The Dug Out’ below!

The Dug Out