RESIDENTS and staff at a Wirral charity helping the homeless planted an apple tree in Birkenhead to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee and join their community.
Wirral Ark's work was inspired by a Globe article about the Queen's Green Canopy initiative, a tree planting scheme created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
The aim is that the trees planted will create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation and will go on to benefit future generations.
Wirral Ark provides supported accommodation, health services and activities for their residents. Since they started, Wirral Ark’ has helped over 5,166 homeless people and provided healthcare to 3,444 – taking pressure off of local clinics and A&Es by providing tailored support.
Wirral Ark residents and staff at work as part of Queen's Green Canopy initiative
Wirral Ark recently launched a new Grow Together gardening initiative across their properties to get their residents involved in becoming more self sufficient and promoting sustainability.
Grow Together has had great success with residents as they work closely with support staff and volunteers to grow their own fruits and vegetables including tomato plants, onions, potatoes and now a brand-new apple tree in their Mary Cole House Garden.
Grow Together has helped promote mindfulness, health, and the building of relationships while staff and residents work together in the gardens and it has already shown a positive impact on mental health in Wirral Ark.
Paul Rowlands, the activities co-ordinator for Wirral Ark, took two of the people staying at Mary Cole House to Carr Farm Garden centre where they picked out the tree and other supplies.
One of the residents David, who had recently been in hospital, said: "It's been lovely to go out and get involved. I feel great after today's session.
"I'm really proud to get myself together and motivated to get involved today thanks to Wirral Ark".
Joined by services manager Dave and members of the befriending service, residents planted the apple tree in their shared garden at the purpose-built hostel in Birkenhead.
Wirral Ark's chief executive Paul Hardman said "We are proud to have been part of Wirral’s community since 1991 and thanks to the motivation and help of our residents, staff and volunteers, we can continue to grow roots in Birkenhead and Wirral and show how Wirral Ark truly helps those who need it most with our vital services".
Wirral Ark's chief executive Paul Hardman
This tree is part of the initiative to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation and will go on to benefit future generations and also help the council to meet its target of 21,000 trees planted annually until 2030.
If you would like to find more out about Wirral Ark and donate to their charity, visit https://wirralark.org.uk
