New gardening scheme to help tenants keep gardens tidy

The Gateshead Housing Company, which manages just under 23,000 homes, is launching the scheme to help improve the look of homes and neighbourhoods, and assist those who have genuine difficulties managing by themselves.

For those tenants who are eligible, Housing Benefit will cover the service, however, any other customer of The Gateshead Housing Company can join the scheme for a weekly charge of £5.54, which will be added to their rent.

Gateshead Council's team of skilled landscape gardeners will then carry out the garden tidy ups during the year.

Only 450 places are initially available on the scheme, so customers wishing to join are urged to get in touch with their nearest housing office as soon as possible.

And the first of the company's tenants to sign up for the scheme was 81-year old Joyce Lamb of Sheriff Hill, who recently received a bouquet of flowers from her Estate Officer, Tracy Wilkinson to mark the occasion.

Mrs Lamb, who has lived in the area all of her life, will now receive regular visits from the gardening team to help keep her bungalow garden neat and tidy.

Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of the housing company said, "This new initiative is a great opportunity to help those tenants, who like Joyce have a genuine difficulty in maintaining their gardens, and to improve the look of estates across the borough.

"As well as spending over £1m a week on improvements to homes we want to help improve the look of neighbourhoods as well - giving people a genuine pride in where they live."