Green Aiders project launches to support residents with garden clearance
We’ve launched a new partnership project with Groundwork East, a community and environment charity, to help residents whose gardens have become difficult to manage due to health, disability or other vulnerabilities.
The Green Aiders project offers a free, one-off garden clearance for eligible residents, helping to bring gardens back to a manageable condition that can then be maintained going forward.
Overgrown or unmanageable gardens can become a real challenge for some households. The project aims to reduce that stress, improve wellbeing, and make it easier for residents to enjoy their outdoor space again.
It will support up to 30 households and is funded through money we’ve reinvested into community projects.
Kerry Stranix, Communications and Impact Manager at Groundwork East, said:
Green Aiders can make a real difference to people’s wellbeing… When a garden becomes unmanageable, it can also affect relationships with neighbours, so this support can really help to reset things.
Work has now begun on the first gardens supported by the project.
Among the first residents to benefit are Mr and Mrs Reid, who described the difference the project will make to their wellbeing. Mrs Reid, who lives with a physical disability, explained how access to a calm outdoor space plays an important role in managing her health:
Getting out into the community isn’t always easy, but sitting in the garden and being close to nature really helps my mental health. My husband enjoys nature photography but due to some health concerns, now finds long walks difficult, so having a peaceful outdoor space at home will mean he can still enjoy being outside. Once the garden is cleared, we’ll be able to manage the smaller jobs ourselves and arrange ongoing maintenance. Having fresh air and that calm outdoor space back will make a real difference to our lives.
Amanda Surridge, Director of Neighbourhoods at SettleParadigm, attended the launch event, where work began on the first garden supported by the project. She added:
Green Aiders is a really valuable addition to the support we can offer residents. By working in partnership with Groundwork East we’re able to step in early and make a practical difference.
Who can apply
The project supports Settle residents who are finding it difficult to manage their garden. To qualify, residents must:
- Be named on the tenancy
- Have a vulnerability or disability affecting their ability to carry out garden work
- Be on a low income or experiencing financial hardship.
Residents must not have another household member who is able to maintain the garden and eligibility will also take account of tenancy conditions.
If you know someone who may benefit from this support, please contact our Neighbourhoods team on 0330 343 0016 or email community.investment@settlegroup.org.uk.
Wherever possible, consent should be obtained before a referral is made. Photos of the garden would also be helpful to assess eligibility and support needs.
Each referral will be reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis, and a benefits and budgeting assessment may be carried out to help understand any wider support needs.
