Pam – Gardener
I completed my second year at Capel Manor College achieving Level 1 & 2 in Practical Horticulture skills in June 2017. My aim, when taking the courses, was to be more confident in gardening at home but also to explore volunteering opportunities. A good friend of mine volunteers once a week in the admin department and said the hospice had people working in the garden.
The hospice is a local community facility providing amazing end-of-life care and I felt I could contribute in a small way to this by keeping the garden under control. I live in North Finchley so I can walk here. I volunteer one day a week (this is quite flexible but usually a Tuesday or Thursday) for approximately six hours.
The garden was redesigned years ago, so I am doing basic garden maintenance tasks i.e., weeding, pruning and getting the garden ready for winter. I have also split some of the plants and rearranged a couple of the beds and provided lavender for a craft activity at the Enfield site.
There is a wonderful atmosphere at the hospice where everyone is friendly, welcoming, eager to help and very appreciative of everything I have done. There is tea and cake every afternoon at 3pm (I usually wait until 3.30pm when there’s some left over!).
There haven’t been volunteers in the garden for many years now so there is plenty to do. Also, it would be good to have someone to talk things through about what needs to be done and how. So, if anyone fancies lending a hand in the garden please do get in contact with the hospice.
