Leasowe community garden needs volunteers

Oct 2 2008 by Sue McCann, Wirral News Series

LEASOWE Estate Tenants’ Association launched a community gardening club this week with a plea for more volunteers to help it grow.

The association is using £2,500 of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding to transform about a third of an acre of disused land behind the shops in Twickenham Drive so that local residents can have somewhere to meet up, make new friends and learn or swap ideas about gardening.

The land is owned by Leasowe Community Homes and the long term vision includes, among other things, a wildlife area, a grassed play area and a series of segmented gardens that local schoolchildren can help to tend.

Volunteers, including community health workers provided by Wirral Primary Care Trust’s Health and Wellbeing Team, have already begun the big dig, but the back-breaking task would be a lot easier if the club had temporary use of a plough or cultivator.

Community health worker Chris McGovern said that even a spot of light gardening like hoeing or weeding can boost someone’s feel-good factor.

She said: “The PCT very much wanted to support this initiative because being active outdoors is one way people can improve their general wellbeing.

“It’s about getting involved - no matter what your age or ability - in doing something with and for the local community. And people can give as much or as little time as they like. If they’re not physically able to help, they might be able to assist in other ways, with gardening tips or advice.”

Anyone interested in volunteering – or lending equipment – should contact Emma Hopwood on 639 6620.