News ways to support the community

Over the winter months Hart’s North Hampshire ecotherapy project, Minding the Garden, has come up with some great new ways to support vulnerable people and build links into the community.

Here’s an update from Hart Voluntary Action. 

The winter months brought heavy snow in North Hampshire, our Hart Voluntary Action’s flagship project, Minding the Garden, recognised this made it difficult for the vulnerable and elderly to leave their homes.

So we decided to get out and about in the area to help - we’ve been busy clearing snow off front door steps and driveways, giving local residents safe access to the outside world.
 
A team of nine volunteers, who may have experienced mental health distress and/or learning difficulties, as well as two students from a local school, wrapped up warm and braved sub-zero temperatures during recent months. 

Armed with specially made snow shovels (made by a Minding the Garden volunteer) and bags of salt and grit, seven local garden owners benefited from the exertions and hard work of the fantastic volunteers! This has helped create positive links into the community and made our volunteers feel valued.

In addition to helping the community we’ve also created beautifully hand-crafted bird boxes during inclement weather.

Minding the Garden is an Ecotherapy volunteer programme funded by Ecominds. The supported project enables people to take the first step towards volunteering in the community while simultaneously benefiting from green exercise. 

This can be a positive step to help people back into work or education, while taking part in outdoor activities can lift mood, give motivation and raise self-esteem. 

To find out more information on any of the above, or how to get hold of a handmade bird box, please contact Amanda Conlon or Les Ellis on 01252 815652 or email amanda.c@hartvolaction.org.uk