00:02Lynn Kirkwood's always loved gardening, but as she's grown older, rummaging around in the bushes has become a bit more
00:10daunting.
00:10Over the last five or six years, my gardening has dropped off because I've been a bit handicapped with these
00:19joint replacements.
00:21That was until she signed up for a Hobart Council program, which paired her with a young volunteer for fortnightly
00:27gardening sessions.
00:28Working with Lockie is wonderful, you know, and it encourages me to get out and do things in the garden,
00:37and I'm doing it more and more.
00:39Lynn and I get along like a house on fire. I think that makes gardening together a lot easier.
00:45For nearly 20 years, the Still Gardening program has helped older people live happier, healthier lives at home.
00:52We're looking at increased social connection with a garden mate, but as well as that we're looking at healthy bodies,
01:02moving, mobility.
01:03It's also given Lynn and Lockie an unexpected friendship.
01:07We also have a lot of shared interests, so we also, we both like art, we talk a lot about
01:12that.
01:12That's a really lovely thing, a special thing for people of my age really, because you do spend a lot
01:19of time with people of my age group.
01:22The program has secured federal government funding to keep running for another two years.
01:27While there's no room for extra clients right now, they're always on the hunt for more volunteers.
01:32Obviously a great opportunity for people to give some time back to older people in their community to make their
01:40lives better.
01:41Showing some things just grow better with a bit of company.
