A community allotment in Stoke-on-Trent is helping local residents grow food, learn new skills and connect with nature.

The Root 'n' Fruit Community Garden in Middleport is an allotment and outdoor space open to members of the local community and it is used for a wide range of activities including family gardening sessions, wellbeing activities and volunteer days.

Every Tuesday, the garden opens up to volunteer members of the community, and each Wednesday families with children are welcomed into the space.

The garden also hosts annual seasonal events such as the Pumpkin Party and apple pressing event.

The Root 'n' Fruit allotment has been providing an outdoor space for the community for over a decade and around five years ago, it officially became a Middleport Matters project – with the original founding members continuing to help local people grow fresh fruit and vegetables.

Middleport Matters work to provide support for residents across Middleport and surrounding areas through free or low-cost activities and community projects delivered across their spaces – which include St Paul's Community Hub, Harper House and The Block youth hub alongside the Root 'n' Fruit Community Garden.

Melanie Smith, Grants and Development Officer for Middleport Matters said: "Middleport Matters has grown from a small volunteer-led group into a registered charity, but our approach remains very much community-led.

"We work closely with residents, volunteers, schools, local organisations and partners to respond to what people tell us is needed locally.

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"Across all of our work, our aim is to empower individual potential by bringing people together and improving the built and natural environment."

Middleport Matters and the Root 'n' Fruit team also work with the NHS Early Intervention Psychosis team to provide a space for patients to access nature and get involved with the community.

Sophie, with the NHS Early Intervention team said: "A group like this can really benefit from it from being out in the daylight, being out in the community and meeting new people."

Co-worker Kay added: "The volunteers have been really helpful. They have embraced us, and the people that we bring, and made us all feel welcome."

To find out more about Middleport Matters and upcoming events and community projects, visit the Facebook page here.