GREEN thumbs of Tamworth will have a new patch to call their own.
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The Coledale community centre is turning a new leaf with some dormant garden beds on its property in a bid to grow well-being in the community, and some herbs and veggies too.
It’s hoped the new program will bring about some new life to the centre in number of ways.
The community will be able to take ownership of the garden, calling the shots on what’s in season.
Clinical student facilitator Kristi Latimore said it would serve a purpose for the health students too.
“We want to, ideally, be able to use the produce from the gardens in some of our healthy lifestyle programs we have going,” she told The Leader.
“Like our group exercise and yarn up program on a Wednesday.
“We also have a women’s craft and knitting group we have starting on Friday and it’s about social and emotional well-being as well.”
While it creates an opportunity for people to come in to the Coledale centre and potentially access services, it’s also a learning experience for the University of New England nursing students, getting them to meet with the community outside of the clinical environment.
“With the students, we’re here to interact with the community each week and be familiar faces,” Ms Laitmore said.
“It also offers informal referral pathways.
“If people need to link-in with something, it’s easier to link-in while you’re gardening.
“It’s easier to say ‘I’m thinking about seeing such and such’ rather than having to go through formal referral process, which can be a bit daunting.”
Local gardening-guru John Tucker has also thrown his support behind the project.
Mr Tucker said local Men’s Sheds, Landcare and Flourish have offered to help, but the gardens will belong to the community.
“We want the people who come to be a part of the project, so if they want to have some herbs, that's what we’ll get in,” Mr Tucker said.
The centre’s community development officer, Rebecca Butler, hoped gardening would help get more people engaged with the Kenny Dr location.
“We’re looking for different programs so community can engage with us as well,” she said.
“A lot of people know what we’re about here, a lot of people don’t sort of engage.
“It’s hard for people to know where to go and find help or access help.”
The Coledale centre’s community gardening will kick-off on Tuesday, July 25.
Staff will host the gardening sessions every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm.