St Margaret’s Hospice is appealing for gardening and DIY enthusiasts to help keep its grounds and buildings looking lovely for patients and visitors.

The charity is seeking to establish a team of volunteer gardeners at its hospice in Taunton.

The hospice also needs volunteer maintenance assistants to help with general maintenance and decorating jobs at its sites in Taunton and Yeovil. Tasks can range from replacing light bulbs and painting to fixing broken tiles or leaky pipes. These flexible roles would suit anyone who wants to put their skills to good use in their free time. About 1,200 people already volunteer in a wide variety of roles, including at charity shops across Somerset, to help St Margaret’s Hospice care for people affected by life-limiting illnesses.

Caroline Slocombe has recently started work as a part-time gardener at the hospice in Bishop’s Hull. She said: “Patients, visitors and staff here at the hospice really appreciate having beautiful gardens to look out on and spend time in when the weather is nice.

“Keeping our grounds looking their best is a year-round effort, with different jobs to do depending on the seasons, and I really need some help with planting and maintaining attractive gardens which can be enjoyed by our patients, relatives, visitors and staff.

“I would love to put together a friendly team of volunteers and am sure that they will enjoy working together to do something positive for the community.

“All plants and equipment will be provided and we can be flexible depending on how much time volunteers are able to give. You don’t have to be Alan Titchmarsh to make a real difference.”

For more information about volunteering, contact Susan Wilmott on [email protected] or phone 01823 346965.