Cuppa, chat and some sneaky gardening on offer at social centre

Hedland’s elderly residents enjoy more than just a cuppa and chat at the Silver Chain-run social centre in South Hedland.

They now like to get dirty as well, by digging in the raised garden beds recently built for them by young offenders from the Pilbara Regional Youth Justice Services.

The new gardens allow residents to grow lettuce and herbs for their lunches as part of a fun program promoting “wellness”, according to Silver Chain community manager Amy Flaherty.

She said the garden project fitted in with the non-profit care provider’s core ethos.

“(We seek to enable) clients to improve their health and wellbeing while connecting and collaborating within the community,” she said.

Made possible through a partnership between Silver Chain, the youth justices services, Care For Hedland, the Pilbara Institute and Port Hedland Pony Club, the program also included a series of gardening workshops.

Care For Hedland chairwoman Kelly Howlett led the workshops and said residents helped select the plants before caring for and harvesting them.

“They have also enjoyed healthier meals thanks to the range of fresh, organic produce (grown in the garden and) now available at the social centre,” she said.

“They were also given a … plant, pot and watering can (to take home with them) so they could look after their own plants.”

Pilbara Regional Youth Justice Services community work officer Jansen Monteiro said the project also gave young offenders a boost.

“(Those) who participated … had the opportunity to develop essential gardening and life skills while interacting with friendly staff, local renowned elders and people with special needs,” he said.

“It was the perfect environment for them to thrive.”