Stay Well and Garden

A lot has happened since the beginning of March and we hope you are keeping well. Gardening during the Coronavirus lockdown and social distancing measures is a great way to keep body and soul together, so information and links discovered during our weekly online chat sessions about how to keep gardening are posted on this page. It is a work in progress, so please contact the Trellis Information Service to suggest resources you'd find useful.

Click here for the latest Scottish Government Protection Levels/Phased Coronavirus Covid-19 Framework and sector specific information and Trellis Planning & Risk Assessment information

Encouraging news of ongoing gardening support e.g.:

Dundee & Fife projects working together - encouraging people to grow at home with videos, Grow & Share stalls etc.

The Escape Allotment for adults with learning difficulties and those recovering their mental health, which has enabled 20 clients to continue to garden, click here for details of how they do it. 

Latest guidance on getting back to tending Community Growing Spaces in Phase 2 of Lockdown Easing is here and some free signage  from Social Farms and Gardens to help everyone understand the new guidelines on re-opening. We have more information and tips further down the page.

Share your gardening stories with the Trellis network on
         

Whether you're gardening indoors or out, in your own garden or at work in a care setting, hospital or garden project there's lots of ideas and inspiration here:

New Trellis Blog from sweet peas to soup mix -  experiments in growing, recipes and adaptable activities for all ages and abilities. As well as images of nature to calm and soothe you.  If you'd like more links to nature try the Ninewells Community Garden blog

Turn your fingers green with Trellis 'How to grow...' on 

Download Trellis Activity & Factsheets - hours of gardening activities for all seasons

Share your gardening questions and experiences - join in our online weekly Coffee & Chat - 1st Wednesday every month 10:30- 11:30

NEW Trellis Online Learning -  Seasonal Gardening Activities  -  for care, community and educational settings. Available all year round.

Keeping in touch with your gardening group is fun, reduces social isolation and is crucial, if you are to organise rotas to attend a communal garden space safely.

Many groups already use email and Facebook as a means of communication. 

Whats App's 'broadcast lists' - allow easy messaging to multiple people 

Free online platforms like Zoom, Whereby -  easy to use for video chats 

For lots of gardening activity ideas to send out or download see our NEW Lucky Bag page

and of course, our Trellis Factsheets page

Contribute to real world science from your garden
Take part in a citizen science project, e.g.

Naturehood: Community Wildlife Project  Help transform urban gardens and greenspaces to suport nature - surveys, events, connecting with your local community

Hogwatch Scotland Hedgehog watch from home; making your garden hedgehog friendly; how to feed; report your hedgehog sitings  

Plantlife Every Flower Counts Use your lawn to attract pollinators and increase the biodiversity of your garden.

If you have an interest in pollinators and how they interact with our gardens, see the Scottish Pollinators blog at 

https://scottishpollinators.wordpress.com/

Slow the spread (General)

Wash your hands more often

How to wash your hands

How to use hand gel

Keep 2 m apart (Outdoors)

Look after yourself - physical activity

Scottish Commission for Learning Disabilities - Easy Read Information on Coronavirus

Garden Tool Use & Hygiene (in pictures)  - Thanks to Tayport Community Garden

Useful links:

Fundraising and Funding available to support groups now

SCVO Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub and newsletter sign-up - Information and useful links on third sector/coronavirus in Scotland 

Many organisations are also considering delivering their services differently, perhaps using digital technology. For an overview and useful links to new models of service delivery see the SCVO New Service Delivery web page

A  framework for developing your charity - free to use from Charity Excellence https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk/

Scottish Government coronavirus information and guidelines

Scottish Government Easy Read Guidelines 

NEW  Scottish Government Coronavirus Route Map - range of accessible guidelines

SCVO Community Assistance Directory  Find and offer help in your local community. Including new national helpline for those without family /other support

Feeling Strong - Sign-up for food & self care parcels for those in isolation, chatlines and lots of selfcare and mental wellbeing support