Just watch them grow

ISOLATED women can now get their hands dirty at Wellsprings for Women.
State Trustees provided a grant to the Dandenong non-profit organisation to install garden beds for a Garden Well-being Project.
Up to 200 women gather at the Langhorne Street centre each week for social connection and education, and often live in cramped conditions without access to outdoor space.
“It will also become a tool to break the social isolation of home visitation participants who do not yet feel ready to enter an education program at Wellsprings due to complex life issues,” a State Trustees spokesman said.
Students and teachers from St John’s Regional College in Dandenong on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August planted and mulched the new area, which features raised garden beds.
State Trustees employees can opt to donate to the company’s Whole-hearted Giving Program with each fortnightly pay.
“Organisations such as Wellsprings for Women make a real difference and provide practical assistance to people in times of need,” the State Trustees spokesman said.
Wellsprings manager, Veronica Hassett, said many women who came through her doors were new to Australia.
“If they don’t connect, they’re going to isolate themselves,” she said.
“Wellsprings provides them the place to gather and then we gradually connect them to forums and programs and special events.”
Wellsprings provides one on one support to new arrivals, runs a Home Visitation Program and English classes, and much more.