Many thanks to Ray Harrington-Vail form the Footprint Trust for sending through this update to the Adopt-A-Garden scheme which was launched on the Wight recently. It’s a brilliant scheme but we were surprised to hear that the take up in Ventnor is very low. Take a read through following and if you think you;d like to get involved, contact details are at the bottom. Ed
The Adopt-A-Garden scheme is an innovative idea, which seeks to bring together two types of people. The person who has a garden they can no longer look after and the individual who wants a growing space.
The householder will get their garden looked after for free and the gardener gets a free allotment in return. No money exchanges hands and either party can give six weeks notice at any time.
It is the case that many Islanders can no longer look after their gardens due to ill health or old age. Volunteers to assist with this growing problem are hard to come by, but ironically there is an increased interest in gardening amongst younger people, many of whom have small gardens or no gardens at all.
There is also a waiting list of over 250 people for Isle of Wight Council allotments. The Isle of Wight Council endorses the scheme and encourages anyone currently on the allotment waiting list to consider this innovative alternative.
“The scheme may have other add-on benefits. The gardener might keep an eye on the householder and report any welfare concerns to the authorities. New friendships might be developed between neighbours and across the generations”¦” said Ray Harrington-Vail of the Footprint Trust, who are leading the project.
“The scheme could mean that some of the Island’s 3,000 uncared for gardens could be growing local food for local people”¦ reducing food miles and encouraging healthy eating along with exercise through gardening activities. This fits very neatly with the Council’s Eco Island vision..’
To date very few would-be gardeners have contacted the project from Ventnor.
“I am sure that many young families who do not have a growing space would love to adopt someone else’s garden and share the produce….please contact us on 82-22-22. or email don(at)footprint-trust.co.uk ”
This pilot project will seek to match up 50 gardens with 50 gardeners over the next 14 months. The initiative will be expanded if extra funding can be accessed. To date the Isle of Wight Charitable Trust, The Footprint Trust and Anchor Staying Put have contributed to the project. The public can help by distributing promotional postcards and putting up posters in local shops, churches and schools.
