They love their Nowra garden. It adds a lot of joy to their lives but they find it physically difficult to keep it looking its best.

The Yard Assist program provides services to about 50 Southern Cross Community Housing tenants in the Shoalhaven.

The tenants might need help around their yard due to injury, disability or age.

The program has been so successful it was recently named a finalist in The Centre for Volunteering’s Team Volunteer of the Year awards.

Now, however, the volunteers need help.

Volunteer supervisor Elva Kielly said volunteers did not need to dedicate too much time, “just a couple of hours a fortnight would be great”.

“It’s either mowing lawns or doing some gardening.

“For young people needing a reference and to build some skills this is perfect.

“We also need team leaders with a licence and a towbar,” she said.

For the Newsomes and their neighbour Judy Taylor, the help Yard Assist offers makes a big difference to their lives.

“I love to get out into the garden,” Mrs Taylor said.

“But I’ve had an operation on my hand and have arthritis in my spine and now I find it hard to get into the garden.

“The volunteers came around and got on top of the weeds and pruning in my garden, which was wonderful,” she said.

Mr Newsome said he had volunteered with many organisations throughout his life which gave him a lot of satisfaction.

“It’s fantastic to be able to help someone else out,” he said.

“Yard Assist is a two-way street; it’s really good for the people getting helped and it’s also a social thing for those volunteers.”

To become a Yard Assist volunteer or to find out more, phone Penni on 4421 5145.