ELVES CIC Launches Free Garden Assistance Service for People with Disabilities in Dumfries, Thanks to National Lottery Funding
ELVES CIC, a new community interest company (CIC), launched on February 12, 2025, offering free garden assistance services to people with disabilities in Dumfries. This initiative is made possible through a generous grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, with additional funding from the Dumfries & Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership.
Based at Dudgeon House on the Crichton Estate in Dumfries, ELVES CIC provides office, classroom, and training areas to support its mission. The company was founded by Director Jakob Kaye, a former advisor at Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service. Inspired by his experiences helping clients with disabilities struggling to maintain their gardens, Mr. Kaye established ELVES CIC to address the lack of alternative support. The discontinuation of the free garden assistance service by Dumfries & Galloway Council had left many individuals unable to use their gardens. Recognising this need, ELVES CIC partnered with the Dumfries & Galloway Mental Health Association and Dumfries & Galloway College to provide accessible garden assistance and horticulture training.
ELVES CIC is committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities by offering reliable garden assistance. The funding from the National Lottery and the initial support from the Dumfries & Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership enable ELVES CIC to provide this vital service free of charge. The service will be available for a limited number of gardens throughout 2025. ELVES CIC also aims to develop a workforce of gardeners who can contribute to the social care environment, believing that gardening can lead to rewarding careers. The company will provide training opportunities for individuals aged 16 and above.
“During my time at the Citizens Advice Service, I saw firsthand the difficulties people with disabilities faced when they lost access to garden assistance support,” said Jakob Kaye, Director of ELVES CIC. “I am incredibly grateful to the Dumfries & Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership for their initial support and mentoring through the Lens Perspectives program. With the help of the National Lottery Community Fund and our partnership with the Dumfries & Galloway Mental Health Association, ELVES CIC can address this need and help people in Dumfries enjoy their gardens again. We are also excited to offer training opportunities, as we believe gardening offers fulfilling career paths and contributes positively to the social care landscape. Our base at Dudgeon House on the Crichton Estate provides us with the ideal environment for our work, and our partnership with Dumfries & Galloway College will further enhance our training programs.”
The free garden assistance service will include weeding, grass cutting, hedge trimming, and garden waste removal. It is available to residents of Dumfries with a disability who receive means-tested benefits or are recovering from surgery at home and lack support.
This service offers numerous benefits, including improved health and well-being for people with disabilities who have gardens. Gardening is known to enhance both physical and mental health. Additional benefits include improved community relationships, neighbourhood cohesion, and reduced stress and anxiety for households, landlords, neighbours, home carers, friends, and family.
Audrey Grierson, Estates Manager at DGMHA, said: “ELVES share an ambition with DGMHA to support people with mental health conditions to live independently. We believe that having access to relaxing outdoor spaces and taking pride in gardens is a vital aspect of personal and community well-being. A well-maintained garden not only enhances the beauty of the environment but also instils a sense of pride and ownership – a place to relax and enjoy the fresh air. By getting involved, learning new skills, and applying them to their own gardens, individuals can experience a sense of well-being from creating a thriving outdoor space. We are looking forward to working with the ELVES team to encourage our people to participate and enjoy their gardens.”
About ELVES CIC
ELVES CIC, with initial funding from the Dumfries & Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, is a community interest company founded by Jakob Kaye in partnership with the Dumfries & Galloway Mental Health Association. Based at Dudgeon House on the Crichton Estate, Dumfries, and working with Dumfries & Galloway College, ELVES CIC is dedicated to providing accessible garden assistance services to people with disabilities in Dumfries. The company also offers gardening training opportunities for individuals aged 16 and above. ELVES CIC is developing a consortium of innovative social care services to address social isolation and help people live well at home for longer.
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