The Helping Hands Gardening Scheme from VCAEC is aimed at people who are unable to tend to their gardens for various reasons such as illness, disability or age. You can join their team of willing volunteers and help with whatever skills you can offer.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- Volunteering can make you feel valued which boosts morale, self-worth and thereby confidence
- As part of a small team you will gain plenty of new skills, from both the manual and horticultural work you will deliver and also collaborating with others and time-management
- It gives you the opportunity to make new friends and connect with co-workers
'I was lonely and all my confidence had left me. I volunteered at VCAEC as a gardener, working with a variety of people helping others in the community. I regained enough confidence to face the world again and was even asked to become an assistant supervisor. This all led to me now being in full time work with East Cambs Council'
How to contact
Phone
Volunteering opportunities
Where to go
Rear Offices in Centre E 24 Barton Road Ely Cambs
CB7 4DE
Available throughout East Cambs
In this short video Angela Haylock, the CEO of VCAEC talks about the work of the Helping Hands Gardening Team
What to expect?
If you volunteer with VCAEC’s Helping Hands Gardening Scheme, you might find yourself helping with any of the following:
- weeding
- pruning
- mowing lawns
- trimming hedges
- planting new plants
- painting fences
You need not offer a lot of time but you will need to be reliable able to commit to those hours you are able to give. Some gardening experience is useful but, overall, enthusiasm and a positive attitude is most valued by the team.
More information
Research shows that having an unkempt garden can increase the likelihood of a house being broken into or vandalised. Not only does the scheme help residents guard against this, it is also helps prevent unnecessary hospital visits as unkempt gardens can cause trips or falls. In addition, it gives vulnerable residents the chance to reap the health and wellbeing benefits of being outdoors if their garden is a pleasant place to be.
Find out about other volunteering opportunities via Voluntary Community Action East Cambs (VCAEC) here.
How to contact
Phone
Volunteering opportunities
Where to go
Rear Offices in Centre E 24 Barton Road Ely Cambs
CB7 4DE
Available throughout East Cambs
