AN Oldham MP has backed a community garden project in Derker that welcomes members who are living with dementia.

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, visited Derker Community Gardens as part of her Dementia Action Week activities.

The community garden was dreamed up by resident Leanne Brooks who took her idea to councillor Angela Cosgrove in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Leanne, who is chair of Derker Community Gardens, said: “Like many other people coming out of lockdown I found I was feeling anxious and withdrawn so, once I discovered there are no allotments in Derker, I decided that I had to do something about it and create a space for local people where we could meet, get some exercise, and create something positive we can all share in.

“Our aim is to create a community garden for local people with an indoor and outdoor space, where everyone can just come along and socialise, and learn how to grow their own fruit and vegetables, something which is going to be even more important as food prices are rising.

“We want the gardens to be a place where people who are feeling lonely or may have mental health issues, can just drop in and feel part of their local community.

"And, hearing from Debbie about her work on creating a dementia-friendly Oldham, we also want to help people who develop a brain disease that results in dementia too, and welcome them into the garden community.”

“Another thing we’re very keen to do is donate a percentage of our harvest to the local food bank and we’ll be offering boxes of fruit to local families in need of support.”

Commenting on the project which is sponsored by Oldham Council and Action Together, Debbie Abrahams said: “This is a fantastic initiative, and it was great to hear that Leanne is keen to help my Dementia Friendly Oldham campaign by involving and opening the garden to people living with dementia.

“Gardening is such a unifying pastime and can help bring together people from all backgrounds and ages in such a positive way.”

Anyone interested in joining the project can contact Leanne by calling 07506 831022 or emailing the derkercommunitygardens@gmail.com.

For more information visit the Derker Community Garden Facebook page.