Roots provides a gardening service in Bournemouth and Poole to older and disabled people who can no longer manage their garden and a ground maintenance service to commercial properties.  The service is delivered by a team of volunteers who are recovering from mental health issues.

The Roots gardening service is provided by a team of volunteers who are recovering from mental ill health and are trained and supervised by a Help & Care Garden Services Worker. It has been in operation since 1989 and was the first practical service developed by Help & Care. Roots launched as a social enterprise in 2010. It is funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group for Dorset, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner and Bournemouth Borough Council.

The Roots service costs £23.50 per hour and is aimed specifically at helping older and disabled people. This service operates three days a week, Tuesday to Thursday.

How Roots Helps people

Older and disabled clients benefit from having their gardens maintained in a caring and professional manner, contributing to their wellbeing and safety.

• The garden remains a pleasure rather than a cause of anxiety. Some tenancy agreements place responsibility on upkeep of the garden on the tenant.

• The garden is maintained at a fair cost by trustworthy gardeners.

• Health and safety issues are minimised – helping to prevent falls.

• Tidy gardens reduce the risk of older people becoming victims of burglary and / or being prone to bogus callers.

• Disputes with neighbours can be alleviated or avoided.

• The service is reliable and fully supervised.