Charnwood Gardening Project

The Gardening Project is a joint venture between Voluntary Action Charnwood and Social Services. The Project exists to give both able-bodied and learning-disabled volunteers the opportunity to work together, developing and sharing gardening skills.

The Project has a garden-maintenance service for elderly and disabled residents. Some jobs are one-off clearances, but most involve regular maintenance and advice. The work includes weeding, mowing lawns, pruning, strimming long grass or digging a vegetable patch. Unfortunately, due to over subscription, the waiting list for the garden-maintenance service is closed .

The Project has a large allotment site, which we use as an area for improving people's practical skills. We have no-dig beds for growing vegetables, fruit and flowers (some of which are sold at John Storer House), herbaceous borders and a wildlife area with a pond. We also have a large shed, poly-tunnels and a small greenhouse.

The Project is an active member of Thrive, the national charity for the promotion of social and therapeutic horticulture. The Project has taken part in a 3 year research project, funded by Thrive and carried out by Loughborough University. We are also piloting the quality assurance scheme developed by Thrive, and were named a Regional Champion for Thrive in 2005.

Volunteers can further their skills in propagation, plant-care and the use of tools. We do not use chemicals or pesticides.

For further information about the Project please contact Bobby Smith on 01509 631774 or email bobby.smith@voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk

See Charnword, Voluntary Action Charnwood's newsletter, for updates about the Project. Please click on the link below.