Published on:
09
May 2012
A local company has joined forces with Clackmannanshire Council to help renovate and enhance the award winning Ochil Community Garden.
Employment Volunteering have organised 10 employees of Prudential in Stirling to come to the Ochil Community Garden on 31st May to volunteer for a full day as part of Prudential's Corporate Social Responsibility volunteer programme.
They will work alongside some staff and service users with the aim of renovating an area of the garden and make up frames for square foot gardening. They also paint the wooden raised beds.
It will mean that the Ochil Community Garden and Action for Change can start to provide sessions on square foot garden to the service users and the local community.
Head of Social Services, Deirdre Cilliers said: "It will make a huge difference to the garden allowing a lot of work to be done in a short space of time.
"At present Adult Day Services are working in partnership with Menstrie Primary School and Menstrie House, both at the Garden and in their own gardens.
"It is hoped in the future to develop a larger sensory garden with flower beds and more raised beds."
The Ochil Community Garden was developed to provide opportunities for service users and local community groups to experience practical gardening activities in a protected and supported environment.
The project uses gardening and other activities surrounding the growing of plants and vegetables to promote physical activity and healthy eating while, at the same time, providing the opportunity for community interaction.
Some of the vegetables have been used in healthy cooking services for adults with learning disabilities.
The garden consists of: raised growing beds to allow access for everyone, bringing on plants, a seating area, paved walkways, flower and shrub beds and compost bins. There is also a recycled greenhouse and a building with kitchen and dining area, as well as changing accommodation and a toilet
This year The Pallets entered by the garden was awarded a Silver and bronze Certificate by Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. The garden was also awarded a merit award for its vegetables in the Clackmannanshire Council Gardening competition.
Ochil Community Garden has been supported by Community Food and Health, The Co-op, Friends of ALLOA Centre, The Community Orchard and Adult Day Services funding.