Gardening can help end isolation

The project runs three groups on Tyneside

It's a typical British autumn day - wet and grey.

The roads and pavements are covered in puddles and golden leaves droop under the weight of the rain.

It's not exactly ideal gardening weather, but one particular allotment in Gateshead is bustling with activity.

It belongs to The Comfrey Project - a Tyneside initiative that uses the very British pastime of gardening to help asylum seekers and refugees adapt to life in the UK.

Some of the refugees now living on Tyneside used to live in war zones like Afghanistan.

Sense of belonging

The project rents three allotments in total (the other two are in Newcastle) and runs weekly sessions on each.

Those who attend are encouraged to grow their own produce, including vegetables and fruit.

They can take this home to cook themselves or they can share and swap it with other members of the group.

In the first place it's about enjoying it - having at least those two hours of good fun a week no matter what happens on other days Dorota Antoniak

Dorota Antoniak is one of the project workers. She says gardening together is a great way of helping asylum seekers and refugees start to feel more integrated.

"It gives them a sense of belonging - of belonging to a group, to the local community," she explains.

"It helps them to meet more people, to make friends and extend their social networks."

Like prison

Lunch is an important part of the weekly sessions - and on this wet day it's a welcome respite from the rain too.

As the group share bread and cheese - and home-grown tomatoes - around a table in the shed they talk about their experiences.

Vanessa from the Congo says coming to the allotment stops her thinking too much about the past - and about what might happen in the future.

It seems that's something everyone identifies with, however long they've been in the UK.

People can choose what to grow themselves

The general consensus is that it's very easy to become isolated and trapped in your home.

Lina, a refugee from Afghanistan, says she felt as though she was in prison during her first weeks in England.

She remembers feeling overwhelmed the first time she left the Tyneside flat where she was placed by the authorities - and describes how she got lost trying to find her way back from the shop.

Lina was an English teacher in Afghanistan and is currently volunteering in a school, but in those first weeks she lacked the confidence to approach someone and ask for help in English.

She also recalls feeling scared of the police because of what she'd fled from in Afghanistan. Luckily a passerby noticed she looked lost and helped her home.

A good time

Lina has now been in England for a year and is applying for jobs.

She feels more confident and says The Comfrey Project helps keep her busy, make friends, and gives her the chance to practise her English.

"I think that's one of the most important things," Dorota agrees.

"That people who are maybe shy or intimidated have the confidence to speak - because some have very good English language skills but are just not confident to talk."

Most importantly of all, however, Dorota wants people to have a good time.

"Definitely in the first place it's about enjoying it - having at least those two hours of good fun a week no matter what happens on other days.

"As you can see, no matter what the weather is like people still come and I think this is proof of how needed this kind of project is."

For more information e-mail The Comfrey Project at [e-mail]