A leading charity is on the lookout for green-fingered volunteers willing to help families caring for children with life-threatening conditions. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) runs a successful Help at Home service, providing vital practical support with things like cooking, cleaning, shopping, sibling support, decorating and DIY. Now, with Spring having arrived, bringing a multitude of gardening jobs, EACH is keen to hear from more volunteers willing to help the families it supports across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. Volunteer co-ordinator Anne Rayner said: “As anyone with a garden knows, this is a particularly busy time of year and we know some families struggle keeping on top of everything. “They have enough on their plates caring for their child or children, dealing with complex medications and feed times. “That’s not to mention cooking, cleaning and maintaining things indoors. “With the best will in the world, the garden isn’t high on their list of priorities and that’s why we’re keen to hear from anyone able to help. “You don’t have to be knowledgeable or a gardening expert. Just being on hand to cut the grass or do a bit of weeding will make a huge difference.” Volunteers do not need to commit to a regular time slot and training and support is providing by EACH. “All you need to give up is your time, either to help regularly or as a one-off project,” added volunteer co-ordinator Lorna Hazeltine. “Whether you can spare two hours a week or two a month, it’ll have a real impact on the families we support. “Sometimes they feel isolated and it can be hard looking out of the window at an unkempt garden. “With warmer weather hopefully on the way, they want to enjoy that space and for it to be a safe environment for their children.” For more information about EACH’s Help at Home service, head to each.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering, email [email protected] or call 01223 800800 (select option four).
