Age UK Richmond is holding an allotment open day at Shacklegate Lane Allotments in Teddington on Monday 7 October from 11am-1pm.

The allotment open day is part of a volunteer-led practical project giving the elderly a chance to enjoy the open air and make new friends.

Age UK Richmond's Communications & Community Fundraising Manager, Aydee Burke said: "We are inviting our older residents to come and see our allotment project.

"We run the allotment twice a week and it's a great way of enjoying the outdoors, meeting new people, socialising and of course growing and producing.

"Our 'Man with a pan' cook Sandra will be talking to us on the day about preserving surplus vegetables by fermenting and pickling them and will be providing us with delicious ideas and recipes.

We will also suggest ideas for growing at home."

On the day, attendees, who are often experts on growing crops, will get the chance to grow their own produce guided by volunteers and then take the produce home with them.

Age UK Richmond's Wellbeing Services & Dementia Friendly Richmond Coordinator, Marie-Therese Keegan, who organised the day told Teddington Nub News that attendees "don't do much really in the fashion of heavy work. There's a little bit of weeding and a little bit of digging."

Age UK Richmond has had funding from Richmond Council to hold the open day on Monday and will provide all the tools needed.

Allotment open days are held every Monday, and this open day gives attendees the chance if they want to purchase an Age UK Richmond membership which costs £15 for the year.

Keegan explained that one of Age UK Richmond's members had a wife with dementia, so enjoys attending the allotment days as a chance to get out and talk to people.

She said: "Being able to spend time outdoors really kept him coming every week, and sometimes he could get a bit tearful, but the group were always there to support him.

His wife died about two months ago, but he's carried on coming as he finds the group very supportive."

According to Keegan many attendees live alone and "quietly come along and enjoy having someone to chat to".

Speaking about the allotment project, one of its attendees, Mr B, 85, said: "'I have belonged to the community allotment since it was formed.

"The crops taste much better being that much fresher and it gets me out twice a week even if it is just for a social chat."

Age UK Richmond holds events all year round including a Christmas meal and more recently a concert at Hampton Hill Theatre, which was held yesterday, 3 October.

It supports members with both their physical and mental health and offers them advice on things like benefits.

While it may seem that the charity is aimed at only "elderly" people, people as young as 55 have attended the Age UK Richmond events.

Age UK Richmond also holds digital workshops for those who are digitally isolated. For example, the charity recently held a workshop on how to deal with scams.

Keegan explained that while Age UK Richmond members can acquire information at its events, the most important thing is that members make friends.

She said: "It's lovely when you see people exchange numbers or take the allotment beyond the allotment and maybe carry on for a coffee or something afterwards. And you think, yeah, our work is done here.

Despite the ever-changing weather that we experience in the UK, the allotment open day will go ahead unless it is flooding.