Homeless people and former convicts have teamed up to help a wildlife garden grow.
Homeless charity Emmaus and HACRO, an organisation that assists ex-offenders, have joined with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust to create the garden in Verulamium Park.
Each week the group meets to tend to the plot, which is situated to the east of the park. They cultivate plants that support birds and insects.
Jennifer Hewson, community support manager at Emmaus said: “This is such a wonderful project for our companions and the volunteers from HACRO to be a part of.
“Being outdoors and gardening is an activity that many enjoy but having a Wildlife Trust site to work on, and helping with the project from start to finish, is going to be really special. The team are really excited.”
Neil Ashley, HACRO chairman of trustees, said: “Improving the wildlife garden in this way shows how effective partnerships between charities can be. It also shows how ex-offenders can put something positive back into the community.”
The wildlife garden is open to visit on Monday to Friday, between 10am and 5pm.
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