How a Washington youth gardening club is supporting care home residents through the crisis

A youth gardening club has been supporting the community during the coronavirus crisis by lifting spirits and thanking key workers.
Staff and children at The Little Onion ClubStaff and children at The Little Onion Club
Staff and children at The Little Onion Club

The Little Onion Club, based in Washington, has been looking out for the vulnerable and elderly during the crisis with letters, poems and cupcake deliveries to keep spirits high and offer support to anyone who needs it.

The group, which is an inter-generational programme providing gardening activities and workshops for children, have written letters and poems to residents of care homes, who can’t have visitors, offering them support and trying to cheer them up.

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Victoria Cadler, 46, a teaching assistant who started the club, is delighted with the work members have been doing to support the community during the crisis.

Children at The Little Onion ClubChildren at The Little Onion Club
Children at The Little Onion Club

She said: “During lock down we’ve focused upon keeping residents and staff’s spirits up. We’ve had cupcakes delivered, letters, pictures and poems. One the first occasion we did have a banner held up outside telling them how much we missed them.

“We have some special little gifts coming up in the next few weeks such as balloons and tea lights etc. All with the help of our local community.”

During normal times, The Little Onion Club regularly visits care homes and supports residents with gardening work within the community.

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The sessions are all about bringing the community together to build connections and learning about sustainability, the environment and social inclusion.

Victoria added: “Obviously we are a little gutted to miss the summer season prep for sowing our seeds but most importantly everyone is safe.”

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