fruit patch

🏳️‍🌈 Do I have to be queer to attend?

Not at all. Everyone is welcome, but you have to respect the fact that this is a space for queer people. Avoid assuming anything about a person’s gender or sexuality based on their body. Here is a handy guide on how to be an ally to trans and gender non-conforming people: https://www.glaad.org/transgender/allies 

🎫 Do I need to book?

You don't need to book. As long as it's one of our advertised volunteer times/ events, you are welcome to drop in! If you are unsure or nervous about attending, you can email us in advance and request a buddy or ask any questions you need.

🤼‍♀️ Can I bring my community group?

We would love to host your community group! Please get in touch with Molly on gardening@tartproductions.co.uk to organise.

👶🏻 Can I bring the kids?

Yes! This space is for all ages, but anyone under the age of 16 needs to come with a trusted adult who will be responsible for supervising the young person. There is a play area for children including a mud kitchen.

👨‍🌾 Do I need gardening skills?

Not at all! This space is for everyone to learn and grow together!

🌱 Do I have to garden?

Not at all! You are very welcome to get involved with other projects, like building things, painting, or you can just chill out near the plants!

🤔 Why is this space necessary?

There aren’t a great deal of queer and accessible events in Oxford. We need safer, inviting spaces where we can express ourselves without fear of harassment and be celebrated for what makes us different.

Fruit Patch is a welcoming safe space for you to express yourself while connecting with others and nature.

Venue: The Children's Allotment, East Ward Allotments, Cricket Rd, Oxford OX4 3DG

What3words: ///nurses.skills.softly​

🚌 How do I get there?

To access The Children’s Allotment, turn into the drive leading to the side entrance of Greyfriars School, opposite Shelley Road. Take the pedestrian alley on the right and you will come to a metal fence and gate. You’ll see a Children’s Allotment sign by our entrance gate.

NB: We are not accessible directly from Cricket Rd or the East Ward Allotments.

🚗 Travel fund

We have a travel fund, so anyone who cannot get a lift can get a taxi. Keep your receipts and send them to us at directors@tartproductions.co.uk noting what session you attended, or we can book your taxi for you if you’re able to give us a few days advance notice.​

🚘 By Car

There is no on site parking available. There is on-street parking on Cricket Road, Shelley Road, and Ridgefield Road for a maximum of 2 hours between 8am - 6:30pm. Blue Badge users can park on the street without restriction.

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🚆 By Train

We are a 25-minute bus (routes 1 and 5) journey from Oxford train station. Trains run from Oxford to Reading, London Paddington, Didcot, Bristol and beyond.

🚌 By Bus

The nearest bus stop is Shelley Road. The bus routes 1, 5, 5A and 10 stop there

🙋 Travel help

If you would like help planning your journey, please get in touch at info@tartproductions.co.uk.

We want to make this space as gorgeously accessible as possible. 

Please note the site is not as accessible as we would like it to be at the moment. Our first priority is making it more accessible and this is what our first volunteer groups will be working on. 

• ♿ Level access

The site currently has level access; however the ground is uneven. Entrances to the polytunnel have a 3cm lip. Ramps are available. If you would like specific photos or guidance about the grounds, please get in touch on gardening@tartproductions.co.uk.

Our first priority is improving the accessibility of the site, evening out the ground, and improving ramps. Contact gardening@tartproductions.co.uk with any queries.

• 🌱 Surfaces

In one of the polytunnels there is smooth painted concrete flooring. In the other there is a mix of concrete tiles and dirt.

In the yurt there is carpet and a step into it. A ramp is available. 

Outside there is a mixture of rough concrete, tiling, AstroTurf and grass. The site is used by kids for most of the week so there are climbing frames and other things around the place as well.

• 🚽 Toilets

There is a urinal available on the ground floor. There is also a compost toilet which is up 4 steps with a handrail. We have recently been granted funding for an accessible loo which will be installed in the new year.

• 🏡 Indoor and outdoor space

The site has two polytunnels - one for gardening, and one as an event space. This means we can garden whilst sheltered from the elements, and have a covered area for people to sit. Electricity is available. We also have plug in heaters to keep people warm.

Seating with high backs is available both indoors and outdoors

There is also an outdoor space sheltered by trees, as well as a yurt which has lighting and heating available.

• 🪴 Raised planters

We have raised planters at various heights so that people can garden with less bending down or from seated. 

• 🤫 Quiet sensory space available

• ☕ Sober event

• 🎧 Ear defenders and fidgets available

• 👩‍⚕️ First aider on site

• 📖 Visual story available on request

• 🐕 Assistance dogs welcome

• 💺 Lots of seating available​

👥 We can also set you up with a buddy to ease anxiety.

Please contact gardening@tartproductions.co.uk with any questions or access needs.