A project to help people aged over 65 to maintain independence in their own home, has been launched by Thrive and Hampshire County Council. Finding gardening services is one of the highest priorities for older people who wanted to maintain their independence.
This is a two year pilot project running in the Basingstoke and Deane and Hart Council areas of Hampshire.
The Green Circle Project will not only provide information and advice to help older people carry on gardening, but will also work with voluntary and professional groups across the area to raise awareness of the importance of gardening independence. Green Circle will also be working with the County Council's hospital discharge teams and Adult Services Teams to help people after a stay in hospital who need support to re-establish their independence.
Jeremy Older, Project Coordinator at Thrive, said: "We are delighted to be working with Hampshire County Council on this exciting pilot project. We know from over 30 years of experience the benefits and enjoyment gardening can bring to everyone including older people. Our free
Gardening Independence Guide and garden self assessment questionnaire, developed with funding from The Headley Trust, will help older people to look after their garden and encourage them to think about their future needs."
Councillor Felicity Hindson, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Adult Social Care, and Older Persons champion, added: "I am delighted to welcome the services that the charity Thrive will provide in the Basingstoke and Hart areas of the county to support people to manage their gardens so their gardens are not an anxiety but can continue to give them pleasure."
If you are over 65 and living in the Basingstoke and Deane and Hart Council areas of Hampshire and would like to request a free copy of the
Gardening Independence Guide and questionnaire, you can:
- download an order form and post it to Thrive, The Geoffrey Udal Centre, Beech Hill, Reading, RG7 2AT
- find out more by phoning the Green Circle project team at Thrive on 0118 988 4844, or
- send the Green Circle project team an email: greencircle@thrive.org.uk