Alan Titchmarch's Gardening Club
Autism Allotments
Great news!! My first piece for season 2 of Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club aired today. I headed over to Barnsley to meet the inspiring family who have created an amazing community garden, called “Autism Allotments”.
About Autism Allotments
Autism Allotments was founded in 2023 by Paul and Michael Atwal-Brice who are dads to two sets of twins. Their oldest boys, Levi and Lucas are autistic and have epilepsy. As a family, they have campaigned tirelessly to make a difference for families like theirs, understanding the challenges of finding suitable safe spaces for their boys to enjoy, especially as they get older.
The project quite literally grew from the small seed of an idea to transform Michael’s dad’s single allotment plot into one suitable for autistic people, giving them safe access to outdoor space and opportunities to enjoy sensory experiences. Work really ramped up in early 2024 and since then, the size and ambition has grown and grown into the project you see today!
Autism Allotments: https://autism-allotments.co.uk/
Not only is this a vibrant allotment space, it’s also a community hub. A place where people with disabilities and their carers are able to call a sanctuary. We meet a family who share just how important the space is that Paul & Michael have created.
We also meet the Co-Chair of Phab Doncaster, Laura. Laura assists Paul & Michael by running activities and workshops at Autism Allotments.
Phab Doncaster is for all children and adults with or without disabilities we pride ourselves in providing adapted sessions for those with complex needs physical disabilities , severe autism and challenging behaviours and those on end of life plans
Phab Doncaster: https://phab-doncaster.live.baluu.co.uk/
You can catch up on the episode on ITVX by clicking the link below:
https://www.itv.com/watch/alan-titchmarshs-gardening-club/10a5408/10a5408a0012
I hope you enjoy,
Jason