Description
The benefits of greenspace for wellbeing are well-documented, yet access to both public and private greenspace is often limited in low-income areas. Allotments can provide valuable access to greenspace that meets the wellbeing needs of residents in these communities. This paper explores the experiences of new allotment gardeners living in low-income areas during their first few months of allotment gardening. The research addresses the question: What are the experiences of allotment gardening for individuals in low-income areas? Ethnography was used to investigate this question, in which the researcher worked closely with participants and paid strategic visits to the allotment site over the course of one year. Ethnography allowed the researcher to build trust and rapport with participants while immersing themselves in the allotment community. Nine new tenants from low-income areas in Nottingham were recruited from the waiting list for St Anns Allotments and data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was applied to explore participants unique experiences. The three Group Experiential Themes that were developed from the analysis showed that allotment gardening supported a sense of discovery of self-identity, fostered meaningful connections with others on the allotment site and provided a safe and private place to retreat to for positive mental health. This research highlights the potential of allotments to provide high-quality greenspace in low-income areas that benefits wellbeing without negatively affecting local livability.| Period | 17 Jun 2025 |
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| Event title | Nature Connections Conference 2025 |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Derby, United KingdomShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |
Keywords
- Allotments
- Low-income
- Greenspace
- Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis