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Earthwise adapts Garden Buddies in response to COVID-19

Do you know a senior who is feeling isolated as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and could use someone to talk to? The pandemic has been an especially difficult time for seniors, many of whom are isolated at home, unable to visit with family and frien
Garden buddies
Earthwise Garden Buddies is a gardening together program that reaches out to seniors who live at home to help them keep gardening for health and enjoyment.

Do you know a senior who is feeling isolated as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and could use someone to talk to?

The pandemic has been an especially difficult time for seniors, many of whom are isolated at home, unable to visit with family and friends. In times of uncertainty, it's more important than ever to stay connected to the most vulnerable members of society, and Earthwise is adapting its Garden Buddies program so it can continue to reach out to seniors and build relationships.

Earthwise Garden Buddies is a gardening together program that reaches out to seniors who live at home to help them keep gardening for health and enjoyment. In the past, seniors were paired with trained Earthwise mentors and together they would work on new or existing gardening projects, bond over a common interest and enjoy each other’s company.

Although we can’t do those one-on-one gardening activities right now, important connections can still be maintained. Some of the program’s main goals are to build a relationship of trust, knowledge sharing and support between the participant and the garden buddy and to help seniors feel connected to the community.

Instead of in-person visits, connections are being made over the phone until the day that buddies and mentors can once again bond, in person, over their shared enjoyment of gardening.

Garden buddies are phoning seniors regularly to check in, offer some companionship, discuss gardening or just have a friendly conversation.

As part of the adapted Garden Buddies program, Earthwise is providing seniors with their choice of a potted plant which they can keep on their balconies or plant in their gardens.

If you are a senior who would like a garden buddy, or if you would like to become a mentor, contact Earthwise at info@earthwisesociety.bc.ca.