OFFICIALS at a charity-run community venue are hoping to attract green-fingered volunteers to help maintain the grounds and pass on gardening knowledge.
An open meeting has been arranged at the TCR Hub, in Barnard Castle, to grow the number of the team members who nurture the gardens on a voluntary basis.
Polly Morris, community engagement manager at the TCR Hub, said: “While most people are aware of the indoor facilities, we have here at The Hub, a lot are not aware of the vast grounds that we have.
“There’s the herb garden, the polytunnel and vegetable plots, the heritage orchard, wildlife pond, woodland and all the grassed areas closer to the building.
“Some people may assume that we pay people to look after the grounds, but we don’t. We have a team of five volunteers who come in and keep The Hub grounds’ looking great but they could do with some help.”
The open meeting, on Saturday, September 2, between 10am and noon, will be an opportunity to meet and chat with existing volunteers who help tend the different areas of The Hub gardens, and find out what is involved.
She added the charity, along with OASES, a sustainability specialist, is working towards a long-term strategy for the grounds to reduce maintenance.
Ms Morris added: “Putting in a long-term plan so the grounds are able to look after themselves is the aim. At the moment though it is about getting more people into help. We do have Suzanne Thomas, who is fabulous, but she is just one person.
“We rely on our volunteers and whether someone is looking to share their knowledge or just wanting to be involved for maybe an hour a week it really builds on our community within the community.”
The meeting will provide an opportunity for anyone interested in volunteering to take a look around the grounds, as well as chat to existing volunteers and ask questions about what is involved.
“Volunteering doesn’t have to be tying,” she added: “You don’t have to be an expert and you don’t have to commit to specific days of the week to help out if interested. Gardening is such a great activity and good for mental health and it’s not just about cutting grass, it’s about nurturing the nature and growing with us.”
For more information about the Hub grounds volunteering event email polly.tcrhub@gmail.com or telephone 01833 690150.
