The mum of a Lanarkshire woman supported by a disability charity has helped make ‘allot’ of people happy after sharing her gardening knowledge and skills with Sense Scotland.
Gillian Humphreys, 71, has been helping the charity transform their Glasgow allotment so that children, young people and adults with a range of complex needs, can enjoy the outdoors.
The charity have now thanked Gillian to mark Volunteers’ Week, which is running from June 1 to June 7.
Gillian’s 37-year-old daughter Yvonne lives in her own flat in Rutherglen and has been supported by Sense Scotland for almost 20 years.
When staff asked green-fingered Gillian for some help with their allotment near Bellahouston Park she was happy to help.
“They knew I do some gardening for others,” Gillian told Lanarkshire Live, adding, “it just needed some digging over and weeding and a bit of tidying.
“Gardening is my hobby, even though I didn’t take it up until about 22 years ago after I lost my husband.”
Gillian and husband Herbie ran the Village Shop newsagent in Carmunnock for nine years and when Herbie became ill a customer suggested that Gillian might find some distraction in the garden.
“She asked me to come and help her and things went from there. Now I get the spade and secateurs out for a few folk round my way. It keeps me going, and I love working in the outdoors.”
She has generously transplanted a few flowers and plants from her own garden. The allotment will be used by the charity for gardening, sensory experiences, outings and other projects.
“Even if people aren’t into gardening, it’s a lovely place to go up and sit,” she explained, “I know my Yvonne wouldn’t be in to the plants and flowers, but she’ll appreciate the chance to get out somewhere different."
Senior staff at Sense Scotland were keen to thank Gillian, and all the volunteers who help the charity.
Angela Bonomy from the charity said: “Whether they’re serving customers in Rutherglen’s charity shop, helping govern our organisation as Trustees or, like Gillian, doing all the spadework it’s all for the same goal – helping the people we support to live the lives and achieve what they want to.
“We could not do it without them, and I want to say thank you to each and every one of them.”
The charity are also seeking volunteers for their Rutherglen charity shop in Main Street.
Shop volunteers carry out a variety of shop duties, including creating window displays, assisting customers and working on the cash register and full training is provided.
Find out more by volunteering@sensescotland.org.uk or visit here for more details.
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