Since the COVID-19 lockdown was enforced in March, food poverty has become a major issue across the neighbourhood. To tackle the problem a Community Response Team was established partnering Witton Lodge Community Association, Urban Devotion Birmingham, St Martin’s Church, St Margaret Mary Church and The Net Pentecostal Church.

Since the start of April, the group has delivered hundreds of food parcels to homes across Perry Common and Wyrley Birch. Fruit and vegetables grown at the Orchard will complement these efforts and sustain food support once the lockdown has ended.

Linda Hines, Resident Chair of Witton Lodge and Chair of the Friends of Witton Lakes who maintain the Orchard said: “We intend to grow fresh produce at the Orchard, nourishing food that is urgently needed by people across our community.

“But we need more volunteers to help us. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the local effort. Volunteering is not just about helping others, it’s about helping yourself too. It gives you a real sense of personal achievement.”

Thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Friends of Witton Lakes, the site has been transformed from a storage area for the City Council’s Parks Department into an impressive and popular community resource.