Back in 2013, Cheltenham Borough Homes were looking at ways of supporting their tenants who struggled to keep their gardens tidy. They heard about the Stroud District Council subsidised scheme and we were contacted to setting up a similar scheme for Cheltenham tenants. Cheltenham Borough Homes Gardening Assistance Scheme became operational in April 2015.
Down to Earth Stroud has a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) to deliver a subsidised Gardening Assistance Scheme. In this scheme, council tenants who cannot maintain their own gardens because of ill health or old age, pay a small amount towards the work which the Housing scheme subsidises creating an hourly rate for our gardeners. We currently have many tenants on our books and have met some wonderful people. It’s been a great delight to be able to work with CBH on this project, through which projects in other districts may have the opportunity to be developed. For example, we can work with tenants with communal grounds to create community allotments and if we find a bit of land they own that’s not being used for anything else, we can apply to set up either a community composting scheme, mini orchard or community growing space.
Through both the SLA and the private work, we have been able to engage 9 self-employed gardeners who work very hard throughout the year. Although this gardening work is not strictly within our remit, it has provided us with the opportunity to develop a relationship with CBH (which has many gardens), provide self-employment opportunities and get to know the whole district!
Up to 10 hours of gardening maintenance per property per year is available. Eligibility criteria applies. To find out more or to apply, contact us here:
For more information and to check eligibility please contact:
Tel: 01453 700011 info@downtoearthstroud.co.uk
Cheltenham Borough Homes