Still Gardening Program and Garden Mates

By becoming a volunteer in the Still Gardening program you may:

• be matched with a Garden Mate (Still Gardening client) one-on-one
• work in small gardening groups in a client's garden along with other volunteers during regular group 'Working Bees'.

If you are matched one on one with a Garden Mate, you are required to commit to working on a regular basis with a senior person for one or two hours a fortnight. Tasks you will help them with include weeding, pruning, planting, digging, lifting and garden planning when required.

Working with senior people in their garden will help them to feel safe and confident to get outside. You will also be a friendly face with whom they can chat and share their passion for the garden.

You can find the Garden Mates volunteer role descriptions further down the page.

What's the process?

What's the process? After completing the online application, Still Gardening staff will contact you by phone or email. They will let you know if you have made it through to the interview stage. An interview with you allows us to find out more about you and if one on one or group working bee gardening is more suitable for you. This takes into consideration your availability, gardening knowledge, experience and skill when working with older people.

What am I provided with?

The Still Gardening Program provides volunteers with:

• an induction
• skills-based workshops
• toolkits
• a tool library
• regular lunch catch-ups
• seasonal Still Gardening community events
• reimbursement for travel
• free police checks
• free annual flu immunisations
• first aid training (if matched on on one with a client).

Apply now

If you desire to give back to our older generations with your gardening skills and passion, and can give one or two hours a week to support our senior clients in the Hobart or Glenorchy municipal areas, we encourage you to apply now:

Still Gardening volunteer application form

To participate in the Still Gardening Program, you need to be referred to us from My Aged Care.

Still Gardening is a Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and provides garden maintenance and social support. Ideally, Still Gardening require two referral codes for new clients through MAC assessment. A code for Social Support Individual and a code for Garden Maintenance.

Still Gardening Program does not use mowers, power tool, chemicals or ladders. Our program is designed for people to garden together for social connection as much as it is for making home gardens more manageable for clients.

Still Gardening Program cost/client contribution(PDF, 151KB)

Please contact My Aged Care by calling 1800 200 422 to ask about whether there is availability for the Still Gardening Program.

Role description

As a volunteer for the Still Gardening Program and the City of Hobart, you give gardening help, working with senior people one on one in their own gardens.

Purpose of role

Garden Mates volunteer on an on-going basis in the senior person's garden and will help them to find ways to make looking after the garden as easy as possible. Garden Mate volunteers can have an additional Garden Mate client should they have capacity and in discussion with Still Gardening staff.

Responsible to

You report to the Still Gardening Program Officer and Still Gardening Coordinator.

Workplace health and safety

• be physically fit and able to undertake gardening tasks safely
• act in a safe manner
• report to staff any health and safety matters
• take part in safety programs and training
• comply with policies and procedures.

Expectations

You must:

• have basic gardening knowledge, enabling you to confidently carry out gardening jobs as a Garden Mate, alongside a senior person in their garden
• be able to confidently carry out planting, pruning, hand weeding, mulching and watering tasks as needed, with your senior person
• help the client with garden planning with the aim to make the garden easy to maintain, keeping in mind that seniors often have broad knowledge on gardening and what is required to keep their garden in order
• communicate with the person you work with to find jobs that can be done together
• assess any need for a working bee in the clients garden
• work within a set of professional boundaries giving a high level of courtesy, respect, consideration and confidentiality when working with Still Gardening staff, volunteers and clients
• maintain client confidentiality
• take on training as needed
• take part in evaluation of Garden Mate match and the Still Gardening Program as a whole
• accept supervision and performance appraisal of your work
• report to Still Gardening staff monthly contact hours, this includes filling out online forms.

Requirements

You must:

• commit to working on a regular basis with senior people
• be able to safely handle and use unpowered gardening tools
• be able to work as part of a team
• hold a passion for gardening and be open to new ideas
• be able to work outdoors
• be willing to keep in regular contact with the person you garden with and staff of the program
• be 18 years or over
• be willing to have a National Police Check every three years and to allow Still Gardening to receive and record the certificate
• be willing to complete First Aid training every three years.

Supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Role description

As a volunteer for the Still Gardening Program and the City of Hobart, you give gardening help, support senior people in their own gardens.

Purpose of role

Working Bee Garden Mates volunteer in a group setting with other volunteers and staff to support client's garden needs.

Responsible to

You report to the Still Gardening Program Officer and Still Gardening Coordinator.

Workplace health and safety

• be physically fit and able to undertake gardening tasks safely
• act in a safe manner
• report to staff any health and safety matters
• take part in safety programs and training
• comply with policies and procedures.

Expectations

You must:

• be able to follow direction from Still Garden staff to carry out gardening jobs alongside a group of volunteers and the senior person in their garden
• be able to perform physical tasks such as planting, pruning, hand weeding, and mulching tasks as needed
• work within a set of professional boundaries giving a high level of courtesy, respect, consideration when working with Still Gardening staff, volunteers and clients
• maintain client confidentiality
• take on training as needed
• accept supervision and performance appraisal of your work
• take part in evaluation of the Still Gardening Program.

Requirements

You must:

• commit to at least 4 working bees per year
• be able to safely handle and use unpowered gardening tools
• be able to work as part of a team
• hold a passion for gardening and be open to learn new skill
• be able to work outdoors
• be willing to receive email communication from Still gardening staff and confirm attendance to working bees
• be 18 years or over
• be willing to have a National Police Check every three years and to allow Still Gardening to receive and record the certificate.

Supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.