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For Sandra and Edward, volunteering together with SeeAbility means they can enjoy their new-found passion in retirement for gardening while making new friends and doing something useful.

The couple started their volunteering back in August 2020. They wanted to make a difference in their local community and decided to join the charity as gardeners attending weekly on a Friday morning.

It was clear to them, as it was to the staff, the garden needed urgent improvement and this is what they set about doing. Priorities were discussed with the staff and Edward set about creating raised planters from donated wood. These have been used to grow herbs and scented plants with the hope of providing some sensory stimulation for the residents. Edward was also able to use his DIY skills to clean and repair the paved areas and repair the wooden shelves to the barbeque.

Together with the husband of one of the staff they also erected a large new gazebo. This now gives welcome shade meaning residents can enjoy the garden all year round.

“It has been an enjoyable experience seeing the garden gradually transform” Sandra says.

As a bonus, thanks to their efforts in the garden Sandra and Edward have got to know some of the residents and several of the staff. They say: “It is particularly rewarding hearing of the difference the changes in the garden have made. It is good to arrive on a Friday morning and receive a lovely greeting from residents and staff - we feel included as part of the team and look forward to seeing everyone each week”.

Sandra and Edward say: “Volunteering for SeeAbility has been such a positive experience”.

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