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Be an Earthwise Garden Buddy to help seniors stay connected

Earthwise Society's Garden Buddies program, which connects community volunteers to seniors who need a helping hand in the garden, has been a huge success.
garden
Volunteers are needed to lend a helping hand to seniors in the garden.

Earthwise Society's Garden Buddies program, which connects community volunteers to seniors who need a helping hand in the garden, has been a huge success.

Many seniors in Delta have been connected with Earthwise mentors who help out once or twice a month in the garden, while several trips have been planned from local seniors'homes to the beautiful Earthwise Garden.

However, with 16 per cent of Delta over the age of 65, there is need for more volunteers and mentors. Volunteers don't need to be garden-savvy as Earthwise is also looking for people who are just interested in being a friendly face to spend a couple of hours with seniors and seniors groups.

Individuals who volunteer are also eligible for Earthwise's Therapeutic Horticulture Mentorship Program which offers six weeks of training starting in the fall.

"The mentorship program reinforces the important values necessary for all positive human relationships: kindness, compassion and giving freely what is needed by others," Earthwise mentor Leslie Gray says. "As a senior mentor, it is also a joy to work with peers who have so many amazing stories to share while working together in the abundant beauty nature has to offer."

Mentorship training is hosted by experienced professionals in the fields of substance abuse, mental health, horticultural therapy and conflict resolution. Training enables volunteers to become official Earthwise Society mentors and take on more responsibility in the volunteer programs.

Those interested in lending a hand to seniors can sign up online at http://bit.ly/EarthwiseVolunteer or can contact program coordinator Corinne Côté at 604-946-9828 for more information.

Earthwise Society operates a public educational garden in Boundary Bay that is open seven days a week.