The Dobbies Community Gardens programme, run by Dobbies Garden Centres, offers practical help including tools, plants and expert advice to bring projects to life.
The scheme operates across the company’s stores nationwide. Last year, each of its 53 locations selected one local project from more than 600 applications to receive backing.
The Swindon branch is now calling on organisations within 20 miles to submit proposals for indoor or outdoor spaces that need creating, restoring or enhancing.
The initiative is focused on projects that unite communities and encourage wellbeing through nature. Successful applicants will receive materials, guidance from horticultural specialists and volunteer support from store staff.
Nigel Lawton, Plant Buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres, said:
“We look forward every year to hearing from the variety of inspiring groups about what they are looking to do with their garden spaces with our support.
“We encourage local communities and groups within 20 miles of their local Dobbies store to apply to help create shared garden spaces that will bring joy to the community all year long.
Whether they are a charity looking to upgrade their green space, a local group hoping to bring the community together with a new project, or a school with plans to restore a vegetable patch, we want to hear from anyone who has a garden project that we could support.”
The programme has already supported projects elsewhere in the UK.
In Perth, the Your North Muirton group transformed a piece of land into a community garden with more than 30 raised beds for growing food and educational activities.
Craig Allardyce, Secretary of the group, said:
“Our new space supports a wide range of local involvement, from individuals renting a low-cost raised bed to grow their own food, to schools and community groups using the area for hands-on learning and shared planting.
“Dobbies Community Gardens is a fantastic initiative to help bring local communities together and we would encourage groups looking for help with a garden project to apply.”
Applications for the 2026 scheme are now open and will close at 5pm on 31 March.
Shortlisted groups will be invited to their local store for a consultation, where staff will recommend suitable products and tools to help shape their plans.
Further information and application forms can be found online via the Dobbies Community Gardens programme.
