Older People's Gardening Project in Bristol

The Older Peoples Gardening Project, in partnership with Bristol City Council, runs a gardening service for elderly and disabled people who are unable to manage their own gardens.

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers provide a friendly and high quality service which is tailored to the needs of each client. In many cases our work involves clearing overgrown and uncared for gardens so that they can be more easily looked after.

The project has helped to foster trust between the generations by creating opportunities for young volunteers to help and interact with older people. One particular client had suffered a stroke leaving her with mobility issues which largely confined her to house. Her new situation meant that the garden fell into disrepair and became an intense source of frustration for her.

Together, we developed a plan that enabled her to take part in the gardening, but with minimal exertion. By her front door we created a small vegetable patch where she could see the plants growing, flowering and fruiting over the course of the season. We cut her grass, maintained the hedges and shaped the shrubs.

"Our relationships extend beyond volunteer gardening. We provide links to the wider community."

Over time we built up a very good relationship which extends beyond volunteer gardening to providing a link for her with the wider community.

Wherever you are in the UK, we can help you get a project like this off the ground through CSV's environmental consultancy service. Click here for more information about CSV Environmental Services, or contact Tom Freeland on 0121 322 2025 or by email: tom@csvenvironment.org.uk.