GREENFINGERED Southamptoners are being asked this month (February 2025) to sow some extra seeds, take additional cuttings or pot-on plants to donate to a charity Spring Plant Sale in the city.
Communicare is hosting the event at the community bakery CommuniBakes in May and is asking for plant donations to sell to raise money to help vulnerable and isolated people in Southampton.
The charity’s Fundraising and Finance Coordinator, Emily Arbery, says: “We’re delighted to be hosting our fourth annual Spring Plant Sale at our commercial venture, CommuniBakes at 21, St James Road in Shirley from 10am until 12pm on Saturday, May 10. But we need gardeners to start growing on plants from now onwards for us to then sell at the event.
“All the money raised from the sale of the plants people donate will be go towards furthering the work we do in Southampton and helping support our multi-generational initiatives befriending people in communities city-wide through our Good Neighbours Network. Our mission is to eradicate loneliness and isolation for people of all ages, which potentially represents a significant health risk to them. So, this is an invaluable event in both our fundraising and social calendars.
“We’re asking anyone out there who currently might be sowing or growing on plants for themselves to please also sow and pot up, or take a few extra cuttings for us, and donate them to our sale. Or if anyone has too many potted plants, indoor or out, that they would like to give us to sell as well, that’d be great. Donations can be dropped at CommuniBakes on the day of the event from 8.30am.”
The event will take place at the back of the bakery and will include a variety of houseplants and outdoor garden plants.
Attendees can also pick up a tea or coffee and a sweet or savoury treat from the bakery if they wish to. These can be enjoyed using CommuniBakes’ outside tables and chairs, subject to availability. The bakery donates any profits it makes to the charity too.
Communicare is a friendly, neighbourhood charity, which provides services that enrich the lives of isolated people in and around Southampton.
Manager, Annie Clewlow explains: “The economic climate at the moment means we need financial support from fundraising events like this now more than we’ve ever needed it before. Every penny we receive is put to good use making someone’s life better.
“We’re here to help people live their best lives, rather than to just exist. There has been lots of research showing how loneliness impacts on both someone’s physical and mental well-being. It’s known as a ‘silent killer.’ Anyone who can sow, grow or pot up any spare plants for us to sell at our event this year will be helping support our vital, often lifesaving work, and we would be grateful for their greenfingered assistance.”
Communicare’s services are staffed by its devoted volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.
The charity is currently supporting more than 750 individuals/families through tasks including, befriending, transport for appointments and assistance with shopping and always needs more donations and volunteers to help with its work.
The services it provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
The Plant Sale takes place at CommuniBakes at 21, St James Road, Shirley, Southampton on Saturday, May 10 from 10am until 12pm. Donations can be dropped at the bakery from 8.30am on the day of the event.
To find out more about the Spring Plant Sale and Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
