Dobbies' Merseyside stores invite nominations for national community initiative
Photo by Stewart Attwood Photograph

DOBBIES, the UK’s leading garden center, has launched Dobbies Community Gardens to support community and charity groups across Merseyside to help transform, restore, or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.

Committed to bringing a smile to its local communities, Dobbies is inviting anyone who has a community space that needs gardening knowledge and inspiration; indoors or outdoors; to get in touch, with applications now open.

Dobbies’ colleagues are passionate about gardens and plants, championing garden living all year round to create experiences that bring people and communities together. The Southport and Liverpool store will select a project to support from the nominations that are made. The winning groups will receive products, tools, and plants to help bring their community space to life during a personal-shopper session with a dedicated Dobbies’ colleague. In addition to this, there will be volunteer hours allocated to help bring the project to fruition.

Successful applicants will receive support over the year to keep their indoor or outdoor space blooming.

Nick Anderson, Dobbies' Operations Director, is looking forward to hearing from groups across the country. He said:- "There are so many brilliant community groups near our Southport and Liverpool stores; from schools and nurseries, to In Bloom Groups and charities, and even local sports teams. Our store colleagues are ready to take on a fresh challenge for this year and we want to hear from groups across Merseyside who would benefit from our support. If anyone knows of a community group that has a garden living project in need of our help, please encourage them to enter."

Applications are now open and taking part couldn’t be easier. Those entering must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies' Southport or Liverpool store. For more information about how to get involved in Dobbies Community Gardens, visit:- Dobbies.Com

Nominated projects will be invited along to the Southport or Liverpool store for the free Grow How session on:- Saturday, 4 May 2024, 10.30 am, and the winner will be announced. The winning team for each store will meet the Dobbies' colleagues who will support them throughout the project.

Cost of living crisis -Just days now left for North West residents to access £2million Winter Support Fund

NORTH West families struggling with the cost of their energy bills this winter have just a days now left to apply for help from a new Winter Support Fund.

The Cadent Foundation, the charitable arm of the UK's largest Gas Distribution Network, launched its 1st ever £2 million Winter Support Fund in December, in a bid to rapidly inject vital financial help into communities across the UK.

So far, more than 12,500 adults and more than 9,000 children across the UK have benefited from the extra help. In the North West, more than 6,000 energy, food and essential heating and cooking appliance vouchers have been given out.

The extra support is available to people who are living in vulnerable situations and who Cadent Foundations' current charity partners are providing energy efficiency and money management guidance to.

This includes Groundwork, The Trussell Trust, Citizens Advice, Blackpool Coastal Housing, Care Network (Blackburn with Darwen) and Wallasey based EPPlus.

Ranjit Blythe, Managing Director of the Cadent Foundation, said:- "We've been amazed, but sadly not surprised, by the take up of our 1st Winter Fund as we know from our charity partners how great the need is across the communities where we operate. With over half of the fund used so far, there is still time for people to apply for additional support to help them through the remaining winter months. We know there are still so many people that could benefit from this initiative, and we're keen to make is as simple as possible for those most in need to receive help. In the 1st instance, we would encourage people to contact their local Citizens Advice or Groundwork who can check eligibility and provide help to access support."

Since the fund launched in November, the list of charity partners administering the vouchers has expanded, with the addition of the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) and National Energy Action.

Ranjit continued:- "With the latest Government fuel poverty statistics released last month showing that the situation for millions remains tough, we know this fund is not a long term solution. Therefore, we are continuing to engage with our charity partners to develop initiatives that will help tackle the root causes of high bills, such as introducing energy efficiency measures into homes. However, we also know from the heartbreaking stories we've heard over the past few weeks, that people simply need a helping hand right now to get them through this winter."

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork's UK Chief Executive, added:- "Our Green Doctors are working in communities daily helping people reduce their energy bills and stay warm and well. Having access to energy and food vouchers allows us to make an immediate impact and offer rapid relief to those who most need support."

With research by Opinion Matters revealing that almost all (89%) UK adults with a household income of £29,500 or less are finding it challenging to cover their household bills, and with 41% stating they are struggling with energy bills and do not know where to turn, the Winter Support Fund comes at a time of increasing need across the country.

For more information about the Cadent Foundation, please visit:- CadentFoundation.Com.