Gareth’s Mend & Tend Story

12/10/2021

Mend & Tend is Gosport Voluntary Action’s accredited not-for-profit home maintenance and gardening service.  It is for residents of Gosport who are older, vulnerable and/or have a disability and would like to continue living independently in their own home.

Mend & Tend worker Gareth shared his story:

“After a long period of ill health, I found that my way of coping was to be outside in the garden doing jobs here and there, and I enjoy seeing the fruits of my labour, but as a result of my poor health I found myself isolated and my confidence took a battering. As things improved, I wanted to help people who may not be able to tend to their outside spaces as they once did. That is when I discovered GVA’s Mend & Tend. I felt that this would be a good fit for me; I was confident in what I was able to do, but I didn’t have a huge amount of confidence of dealing with other people and their gardens. But after meeting with Emma and talking through what was expected, I felt nervous but positive moving forward. Once I had done my first two jobs, I started to feel more relaxed within my role and my confidence grew when I could see the difference I was making, not only in the garden but out of the pleasure the clients would get looking at their garden seeing that it was a place they could enjoy again and not worry about how they would have to look after it.”

Mend & Tend currently has a waiting list of customers and are looking to recruit Self-Employed gardeners, handy workers and decorators to join the team.  This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people in need, and to work with the flexibility to choose your own hours.  An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

If you have any questions or would like to apply, please telephone Emma May on 023 9250 3871 or email emma.may@gva.org.uk

Learn more about Mend & Tend at: www.gva.org.uk/individuals/support-services/garden-decorating-repairs/