The Spa Hill Community Allotment Project is holding an open day at their Upper Norwood site.

The project, run with the Croydon Federation of Allotment Societies and Croydon Council is used to get elderly and vulnerable people outside and enjoying their environment.

Users learn about growing crops organically and are able to socialise with like-minded people.

A plot has been developed at the Spa Hill site using Lottery funding and cash from the council’s community care grant.

So far a paved area has been laid and two sheds built on it while the next stage is to build 30 beds, some of which will be raised, for use by wheelchair users and those with less mobility.

A group of young adults with learning disabilities who are planning to go on a horticultural course have joined the project, as well as some older adults who are part of the Fit as a Fiddle health project run by Croydon Age Concern.

The open day is planned for January 27 from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Anyone interested in finding out more, or who wants to get involved, should pop along to the Spa Hill Allotments, Spa Hill, Upper Norwood.

Hannah Miller, executive director of adult services and housing, said: “Getting involved in a project like this helps people to be active, have fun, become less socially isolated and learn more about growing crops in an environmentally friendly way.”

For more information, or to join the project, contact Anjna Mehta-Lancing on anjna.mehta-lancing@croydon.gov.uk or Peter Newbury on 07711 495739.