We’re thrilled to welcome Haidi Spence as our new Volunteer Garden Coordinator at Age Concern Nelson Tasman. With her depth of horticultural experience and creative eye for transforming outdoor spaces, we feel very lucky to have Haidi leading the next phase of our Richmond hub’s Garden Deck Project.

Haidi is a qualified amenity horticulturist with more than 20 years’ experience working in public parks, private gardens, and open spaces across Australia and New Zealand. Locally, she’s known for her work with Nelson City Council, where she managed the historic Broadgreen Rose Gardens, and for her passion for sustainable, resourceful gardening through her business Your Garden Guide.

Her first task with us was to design a sensory-friendly garden, a space that’s full of texture, fragrance, colour, and calm. The design features accessible raised beds, shaded seating, and plantings that invite visitors and volunteers alike to pause and enjoy.

Once the plan was ready, we reached out to the public with a request for specific plants, and the response was amazing. Our Facebook post was one of the most engaging we’ve ever had, with messages of support and offers of donations flowing in from the community.

Soon after, we held a working bee with team members rolling up their sleeves and helping to plant and mulch the garden under Haidi’s wise guidance. “It’s been wonderful to see so many people and local businesses contribute,” shared Haidi. “Every plant in the ground represents someone’s care for this space and the people who’ll enjoy it.”

You can see some more lovely photos on Haidi’s Facebook page here: Your Garden Guide

This phase of the project has been made possible thanks to our numerous donations of plants and money from our Age Concern members and the wider community. We want to say an extra thank you for the generosity of local businesses who helped us: Thirkettles Nursery and Dean’s Nursery who donated many of the framework plants and trees, Millers Firewood and Landscape Supplies for the compost, and Patrick Higgins Arborist for the mulch.

With only a few final plants to find (still looking for a lemon verbena!) the garden is nearly complete. Thanks to Haidi’s leadership and hard work plus the kindness of our community, our Richmond space is fast becoming a vibrant garden of connection, colour, and care.