In honour of National Allotment Week, which runs from 11 to 17 August 2025, Wickes is reflecting on its ongoing commitment to supporting community allotments across the UK. Over the past year, the home improvement retailer has played a key role in helping gardening projects to thrive, from revitalising neglected plots to donating products that empower local residents to grow their own produce.
Since its launch in 2022, the programme has supported over 400 allotment groups across the UK, highlighting the demand for investment in these community spaces. Projects range from traditional community allotments that support a variety of local groups and charities to smaller school-based plots that help children learn how to grow vegetables and other produce.
Langold School Allotment in Worksop has continued to grow and thrive thanks to ongoing support from the Wickes Community Programme. Over the past two years, donations have helped transform the space, from refurbishing an old shed into a dedicated learning lodge to, most recently, building a raised bed inside a donated polytunnel. The latest addition will allow pupils to expand their growing projects, providing a hands-on learning environment that inspires an interest in gardening and the natural world.
At The Hideout Allotment Club in Colchester, a youth-led project, Wickes’ donations of a storage container and table have enabled members to expand their activities, from growing fruit and vegetables to creating a “slow worm retreat” and a “hotel for snails.”
The 1st Great Parndon Cub Pack in Harlow launched a vegetable-growing project using planters built from recycled pallets and compost donated by Wickes, helping members earn their Gardening badge and cook with their own produce.
The Advocacy for All Allotment group in Bexleyheath has created an inclusive gardening and wellbeing space for members with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions. With planters built from recycled wood donated by Wickes, filled with herbs and strawberries, the site offers accessible opportunities for all members, including those with physical limitations, to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening.
Hannah Randle Hockin, Community Engagement Manager at Wickes, said: “National Allotment Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the power of outdoor spaces and the communities that care for them. Through our Community Programme, we’re proud to support allotments of all shapes and sizes, from school gardens to volunteer-led plots, providing the tools, materials and encouragement they need to flourish. These case studies show how even a small contribution can have a big impact, helping people of all ages grow their own produce, learn new skills and enjoy the many benefits of gardening.”
