- Gardening Support-
Our aim
In Dumfries & Galloway, the Council previously operated a garden assistance scheme to support disabled residents who couldn’t manage their gardens. The scheme was stopped in 2020 during the Covid period due to funding cuts, and it has not been reinstated. Since then, many people on means-tested disability benefits have been left without affordable support to maintain their gardens.
We understand that when a garden becomes overgrown it’s not just “messy”. It starts to feel like another thing that’s gone out of control bringing worry, stigma, complaints, and sometimes real hazards. For people who spend a lot of time at home, the outdoor space should be a place of comfort and recovery: somewhere to sit safely, get fresh air, notice the seasons, and feel a sense of pride in home - not a feeling like the garden is a constant burden.
That gap is one of the reasons ELVES CIC exists and why we’re now (2026) developing a place-based model focusing in Lincluden, Dumfries. We’re building a service that is reliable, sustainable and rooted in community life which we aim to replicate in other communities.
Our aims in Lincluden are to: provide practical garden support for people who are struggling at home reduce social isolation by designing visits with befriending and friendly check-ins in mind (because feeling seen and supported matters as much as the practical help), create weekly volunteering and intergenerational activity, improving local green spaces and community pride support young people 14+ to build confidence, routine and employability skills through supervised outdoor work towards careers in gardening.
ELVES CIC works with DESIGN HOPES to pilot projects around sustainability concepts for NHS estate land in Dumfries & Galloway. To increase biodiversity, sustainable land-use and achieve net zero carbon goals whilst improving wellbeing for NHS staff and patients.