Help wanted

I am helping a housing association to set up some gardening projects in North and East London.One of the projects is a garden bank, where residents who are interested in doing gardening can volunteer to help residents who cannot maintain their own gardens, either through age, ill health etc.The project has a small budget, and they still have to source tools. So Ideally we are looking for gardeners who are happy to volunteer their time, or provide their services at reduced cost. In the first place to offer advice on maintenance schedule, ideas what could be planted or what to avoid.This year we are looking to start with perhaps matching up volunteers to 15 homes.I'm not sure on future plans, though know they are keen to see it as an ongoing venture, possibly expanding it to other areas. So someone may not be able to do their garden, but could offer to drive someone to an appointment etc. However if you willing and able to look at delivering some training to residents at some point there are funding streams we can look into to help cover costs.One of my key tasks is to identify and encourage possible volunteers among residents.One of the other projects I am involved with, is the introduction of Vacant Lot into three blocks with communal areas that are underused.I am quite excited by these since my main role will be promoting these opportunities to residents and other staff within the organisation.

Replies

Sustainable Land Management April 29, 2009 at 7:01pm

Hi George,

Looks great and wish we can help but geographically ill placed. However if there is anything we could possibly do to assist please don't hesitate to ask, eg seeds or plug plants or a few cornish apple trees?.

Best of Luck

CSL team
dgeorgea April 30, 2009 at 12:20am

Thanks for the support and offer for help, I will pass it on.

I know the main concern is for good advice at the moment, but building up a list of other types of help would certainly help us to carry this on beyond the current financing and may open up some new ideas not yet considere.