A joint initiative between Willoughby City Council and local residents is connecting neighbours and promoting community gardens.
The Time to Grow Garden Share project in the Sydney municipality is designed to link older residents who have extra space to share in their backyard with gardening enthusiasts lacking gardens of their own.
As part of the project, members of the Willoughby Community Men’s Shed prepare timber garden bed frames that are then delivered to participating residents’ gardens. The beds are then assembled and filled with soil by volunteers from Chatswood Rotary so they are ready to start growing produce.
By joining the Garden Share Project, residents can: learn how to garden and enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables; join monthly activities including gardening workshops and plant swaps; connect with neighbours and create a safer community; enhance wellbeing and encourage healthy ageing.
Willoughby Mayor, Gail Giles-Gidney, said the project successfully brings together various members of the community.
“The Time to Grow Garden Share Project is a wonderful initiative that promotes community development and health and wellbeing through social interaction, gentle exercise and knowledge and skill sharing.
“I’m thrilled that this project brings so many different members of our community together, from elderly residents to community members from the Willoughby Men’s Shed and Chatswood Rotary, who volunteer their time and contribute valuable expertise in helping us grow a stronger community we can all enjoy.”
