Volunteers from the Kraft Foods site in Bournville have spent a week helping a team from the Midland Heart supported housing scheme, Holliday Road, in Handsworth, as part of an effort to transform a new allotment space for its customers.

The allotment is situated in the Uplands site, which is the largest allotment site in Europe. Across the week, over 35 volunteers helped to clear the area, create a patio space for seating and a shed, and ensure the plot was ready for growing. 

Cheryl Phillips, community affairs manager for Kraft Foods, said: "We have been working with Midland Heart for a number of years now and in 2010, over 120 of our employees volunteered at a number of their properties to help with gardening and maintenance work. It is an organisation that we are extremely proud to support.

"With four teams of volunteers at the allotment throughout the week, we've been able to make a huge impact and we hope that the occupants will enjoy using the plot as much as we've enjoyed creating it!"

Midland Heart is one of the top ten housing and care groups in the country and the largest based in the Midlands. It provides affordable rented housing to different groups ranging from families and single people, to the homeless, those with learning disabilities and people with mental health issues.

Jon Jameson, a support worker from Holliday Road, said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers at Kraft Foods. Through their hard work, the new allotment will give our customers the chance to grow and cook their own food, gain new skills and grow in confidence, whilst also giving them an opportunity to be part of their local community."

The activity formed part of Kraft Foods' annual delicious difference week. The volunteering week is a global initiative which this year hopes to engage around 30,000 employees in local community activities, with a focus on hunger and healthy lifestyles.