Tucked away in Thurnscoe, Barnsley, is Autism Allotments, a space that has been transformed from an overgrown patch of land into a safe and welcoming place for autistic people and their families.
Autism Allotments was founded in 2023 by Paul and Michael, 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.
When Paul and Michael took over Michael’s dad’s old allotment, they faced a big task… clearing more than 20 tonnes of fly-tipped waste! But with hard work and support from the local community, the site is now thriving. It’s a place to enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, and grow fresh food to help with the rising cost of living.
With 151 Yorkshire Housing homes surrounding Autism Allotments, it’s a great community resource, and when we heard about the project, we wanted to get involved. Our team first visited in early 2024, when there was still a long way to go. Paul and Michael shared their vision of creating not just a garden, but a community space. Alongside growing fruit, vegetables, and wildflowers to support biodiversity, they planned to build a log cabin for workshops, training, and social activities.
And by July 2024, it had been transformed! With support from local businesses and volunteers, the site now has accessible play equipment, paved pathways, and plenty of greenery. We encouraged them to apply for one of our community grants*, and in September 2024, they were awarded £500, which went towards some of their events.
Michael told us how the money helped them:
"We held Halloween and Christmas events for autistic and disabled children and adults. Many of these individuals don't get to access things like this as they’re not focused on their needs. They’re too busy, too overwhelming and don't have any reasonable adjustments made. Some individuals had never been able to attend a Santa grotto event, and we made it possible, so it was amazing to see."
Looking ahead, Paul and Michael are now raising money for their new ‘Accessible Allotments’ - a space designed to help adults with disabilities and autism learn life skills. We will continue to support them, looking into sponsorship opportunities and offering volunteering days for colleagues.
If you fancy getting stuck in, Autism Allotments welcome volunteers every Wednesday to help look after and develop the space. It’s a great example of what can happen when a community comes together, and we’re proud to play a small part in it.
*If you’ve spotted an opportunity to improve your local Yorkshire Housing community then we can help with our community grants. Anyone can apply, your idea just needs to benefit the community and Yorkshire Housing customers. Find out more and apply today.