For our next NAAFI Fund project spotlight, we’re heading to Army Headquarters in Andover, Hampshire, where we’ve awarded a fantastic £5,000 grant to help their community grow in more ways than one.
Andover HQ were thrilled to be awarded with this grant because the funding is going towards creating a magnificent Community Allotment for serving personnel and their families!
This isn’t just about growing prize-winning courgettes (though we hope to see some!). This project is a non-hierarchical and all-age space designed to cultivate community and well-being right at the heart of the Andover military community.
Why is this so important? The military community faces unique challenges. We know that stress for serving personnel and loneliness for their spouses are common factors in mental health struggles. Anecdotally, depression amongst the military community is significantly higher than in the civilian population. When deployment frequency increases, the pressure on families increases, often hitting the children hardest.
That’s why projects like this allotment are lifelines. Building supportive relationships in a resilient community is the absolute best way to help military families thrive!
This grant is an investment in the mental and social well-being of our Forces families and gardening is known to be therapeutic. It’s a grounding activity that:
Reduces Stress: Focusing on a task and connecting with nature is a brilliant way to unwind.
Fosters Connection: Working side-by-side on communal plots is a natural way to build friendships and support networks.
Provides Purpose: Tending a plot and seeing the fruits (or vegetables!) of your labour gives a real sense of accomplishment.
The NAAFI Fund is proud to support a project that is helping to sow the seeds of community and resilience in Andover. We can’t wait to see the incredible impact this allotment will have.
The NAAFI Fund, exists to support projects that enhance welfare and improve quality of life for Service Personnel and their families. If your unit has an inspiring idea, we want to hear from you!
Get in touch to find out how the NAAFI Fund can help bring your vision to life. Contact us for more information on how to apply at funding@naafi.co.uk.
