What is your role?
Lindengate is a Buckinghamshire-based charity that offers specialised gardening activities to help those with mental health needs in their continuing recovery. I volunteer on its ‘Rest and Reflect’ programme which was set up for NHS workers, keyworkers and anyone dealing with bereavement or struggling with the effects of COVID-19 to benefit from the healing qualities of the Lindengate garden.
How did you find the role?
I signed up on the Buckinghamshire Council website to be a volunteer as I wanted to give something back – particularly to help the NHS if possible. It was the Volunteer Matching Service (now Volunteer Bucks) which suggested the role as an assistant for Lindengate’s Rest and Reflect programme. I already knew a little bit about Lindengate as in my ‘normal’ life I am the food and beverage manager at a local golf club and the Lady Captain there had chosen Lindengate as her Charity of the Year.
I liked the idea that it was going to be outdoors and that it would be helping NHS staff so thought I would give it a go.
What does your role involve?
I am at Lindengate two afternoons a week, rain or shine. Visitor numbers are not necessarily affected by wet weather, in fact one visiting NHS worker said “she was just grateful to be outside!”
On the gardening side of things, I carry out various tasks such as repotting, weeding and pruning roses. As a Rest and Reflect assistant, I am on hand to talk to or listen to visitors as they wish. None of us intrude if people don’t want to talk – some people prefer just to soak up the atmosphere, admiring the gardens or the ponds where the ducks and ducklings are also lovely to watch.
What do you gain personally from volunteering?
It is amazingly relaxing, even while doing something worthwhile. I have made lots of new friends and improved my knowledge of gardening too. I’ll definitely carry on volunteering beyond the current COVID-19 crisis.
Would you recommend volunteering and if so why?
Yes. It is a brilliant experience – surprisingly both relaxing and rewarding at the same time.
Further information
- If you are looking for a volunteering role, register on the Volunteer Bucks platform and have a look at see some examples of roles currently available.
