A MENTAL health worker who helped revive an abandoned allotment to guide people into employment has been nominated for an national award.

Nick Alderson, rural development officer at the East Lancashire Community Restart Team has been shortlisted for the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion award for community impact.

Mr Alderson, 32, from Barrowford, helped set up the Open Gate Community Growing Garden in the Intake Allotments, Colne, an initiative to help people’s physiological and physical well-being, self esteem and confidence.

The project aims to tackle social isolation and exclusion and has been looked at as a flagship community project in the area.

The allotment was inherited from the town council and previously struck with fly-tipping problems.

Mr Alderson, said he managed to form partnerships with people and organisations that helped him set up the scheme.

He said: “The project prides itself on giving our freshly grown produce back to the community.

“We supply the Open Door Café with the produce grown, which provides for many disadvantaged people in Colne and also Pendle.

“We also distribute our produce to members of the project, and we actively encourage members to try to grow their own fresh produce at home if possible, to keep them engaged in a therapeutic activity.”

To date the project has supported three people back into employment, and has provided countless hours of meaningful peer support and community spirit.

Mr Alderson said: “The project has also formed links with the local job centres which signposts people up to the project who are feeling the effects of depression with being out of work.

“I was very surprised to be nominated for the award.

“It is always nice to be recognised for the work you put in.

“However it really has been a team effort with my colleagues, Elaine Butt, Barbara Pearson and Becky Pope who have also put in a lot of time and effort in ensuring the project is the success it is.

“I have met some wonderful people who have volunteered at the project, and it is fantastic to see them get something from the project.”

The winners will be announced at the Law Society awards ceremony in London on Tuesday July 11.