Ambleside Road Allotment Association, Lancaster

The 3R Foundation recently awarded £449 to the Ambleside Road Allotment Association in Lancaster for polytunnel guttering and a strimmer.

Based in the heart of the Ridge estate, the association has transformed its allotment site over the past 18 months through regular volunteer work days. Open to all, the site brings together a wide range of people including local residents, Cancer Care groups, Hug in a Mug for the bereaved, Red Rose Recovery and vulnerable adults.

What was once a neglected space has become a thriving, welcoming community where volunteers of all ages — from 10 to 91 — work side by side. As well as growing produce, the group has created a place where people can connect, support one another and take pride in shared achievements.

The grant funded improvements to polytunnel guttering, allowing the group to collect and store more rainwater. With no mains water on site, capturing every drop is essential, particularly during drier periods.

Funding also replaced a stolen strimmer, enabling volunteers to maintain grass edges and pathways, especially around newly created gravel paths. Additional materials have helped manage overgrown plots, preparing them for new members to join the allotment community.

These improvements have supported the continued growth of a project that is about far more than growing vegetables — it is about building a strong, inclusive and supportive community.

The 3R Foundation funds grants like this through the Recycle, Reuse, Rehome charity shop in Carnforth (next to Tesco). With a large number of grant applications coming in recently, continued support from the local community is more important than ever.

Every purchase in the shop helps raise the funds that go straight back out as grants to support local charities, clubs and community groups. If you are nearby, please call in and support the shop so we can continue helping even more organisations across our area.