Volunteers celebrate opening of new workshop at community allotment in Rochdale

Petrus Allotments opening ceremony

Construction company Willmott Dixon recently came together with Rochdale-based charity Petrus and timber workshop Touch Wood for the opening of a new workshop at a community allotment in the town.

Petrus Incredible Edibles Rochdale (PIER) is a part of an initiative to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food.

The allotment is a calm and therapeutic space that is used recreationally and socially by local schools, hospitals and health care centres. Many of the volunteers at PIER have been assisted by Petrus, a charity that provides support to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Co-ordinated by Willmott Dixon, the project saw the construction of a much-needed new workshop which will provide shelter from bad weather and therefore allow the Petrus team to plan activities all year round for the local community.

Wood donated by Willmott Dixon was upcycled to build the workshop by reclaimed timber workshop, Touch Wood, which specialises in waste wood, timber re-use and upcycling.

Rosie McLaren, social value coordinator at Willmott Dixon said: “It’s been a real pleasure working with Petrus and their volunteers at the allotment. The Petrus team couldn’t have been more grateful for their new workshop and seeing the difference it will make to the service they provide is, as always, an amazing feeling!"

Touch Wood commercial director Mike Taylor said: “We were delighted to be invited by Willmott Dixon to use reclaimed timber to build a structure for such a worthwhile project. We were able to work with the volunteers at PIER to design the benches for the workshop, giving them a chance to make their own contribution. The finished workshop is a real team effort, and everyone involved can be very proud of what they have created.”

Roy Down, engagement and development worker at Petrus said: “The fantastic support we have received from Willmott Dixon, has enabled a vision to become a reality. The workshop will not only offer us shelter from the elements but give us a much-needed space for crafts and woodworking. This will allow us to offer a new range of activities on the allotment. It is a game-changer for us, a facility that we could not have achieved without their support.”

The allotments also provide meaningful activity for homeless people to improve their health and wellbeing, helping them to engage with the wider community and enabling them to gain skills and experience. Food grown at the allotment is distributed by the local soup kitchen and is a key resource for many in the Rochdale community.