Running on a drop in basis every Tuesday morning, Jenny Beale, co-ordinator said she is delighted with the response the opportunity has received since advertising the vacancy with GVC. She went on to say that the volunteers have helped out hugely since the Spring, some coming for just one morning and others attending regularly every week. Since the project began the children’s willow play area has been extended as well as a huge tidy up and clearing being undertaken around the boundary of the gardens. Volunteers are now busy planting bulbs for spring next year.

Normally four to five people attend the programme on a Tuesday morning, with the summer months having up to ten volunteers arriving on some days.

A huge variety of volunteers have taken part since it began and have come from as far as Carraroe and Loughrea.

Sarah, a herbalist is currently working on their herb garden and stated that getting involved in this project was the perfect introduction to volunteering in Galway and came about after meeting Jenny at a women’s network meeting. She finds it wonderful to be in touch with the herbs that she uses in her work, and really enjoys the hands on element involved. She added that it is a real bonus to be able to see a difference that you have made every week in the short space of two hours!

Working in the garden can be a great learning experience for those who wish to find out more about gardening and landscaping or who may not have access to a garden at home. Adekunle and Habib, pictured above, are both asylum seekers and have been coming to the gardens regularly to help out and offer a hand to Jenny. They are enjoying the opportunity to meet new people and learn more about local culture. Adekunle who is a builder by trade added that he finds it great to be using his skills as well as learning about the differences in the building systems in Ireland compared to Nigeria.

Jenny commented that the gardens are now better maintained than ever and that the extra help really makes a difference to her as she can now attend to other much needed jobs. She feels they are now going into spring in a much better position due to the invaluable help and efforts from the many volunteers who have taken part in the programme.