Apply to become a Community Roots Local Coordinator and complete the comprehensive induction process provided by the organisation. Attend training sessions covering the garden-sharing model, facilitation techniques, safeguarding protocols, and conflict resolution. Complete Garda Vetting and reference checks as required. Study the Community Roots handbook outlining policies, procedures, and best practices. Connect with experienced coordinators in other areas to learn from their experiences. Set up your local coordination infrastructure including a dedicated phone line or WhatsApp account for participant communications. Familiarise yourself with the online growing course and resources you'll be sharing with participants. Identify a local community garden or meeting space where you can host workshops and gatherings. Develop relationships with local community organisations, councils, and networks that can help promote the programme in your area.

Launch a targeted recruitment campaign to attract both garden owners and gardenless growers in your neighbourhood. Promote through local community noticeboards, social media groups, residents' associations, and word of mouth. Host an information session where interested people can learn about the programme and meet you as coordinator. Create compelling promotional materials highlighting the benefits: reduced food waste, enhanced health and wellbeing, bonding over shared experiences, enjoying mini harvests, and learning food-growing skills. Target diverse demographics including older residents with underused gardens, young families in apartments, migrants new to the area, and sustainability-minded individuals. Collect registrations including participants' locations, availability, growing interests, and what they hope to gain from the experience. Build a database of at least five garden owners and five potential growers, ensuring geographic proximity for walking-distance pairings.

Review your database and create five compatible pairings based on proximity, availability, shared interests, and complementary needs. Consider factors such as experience levels (pairing experienced gardeners with enthusiastic beginners often works well), time availability, physical ability, and whether garden owners prefer front or back garden use. Contact both parties individually first to gauge interest in the specific match and explain what to expect. Arrange initial meetings in neutral, comfortable locations like local cafés where prospective partners can meet with you present. Facilitate these 'getting to know you' sessions by asking open questions about their gardening aspirations, available time, and expectations. Help both parties discuss practical matters such as access arrangements, communication preferences, and harvest sharing. Once both parties agree to proceed, arrange a garden visit to assess the space together. Ensure written agreements are completed outlining responsibilities, boundaries, and mutual commitments for at least one full growing season.

Coordinate the installation of raised beds and delivery of growing supplies for your five pairings during the March-April setup period. Work with Community Roots to ensure each pairing receives their raised bed (minimum two square metres), quality compost, starter growing kit with seeds and basic tools, and access to the online growing course. Visit each garden location with both parties present to determine the best placement considering sunlight, water access, and convenience. Provide guidance on bed assembly and initial soil preparation. Share the online growing resources and explain how to access workshops and support. Add all participants to the local WhatsApp group where they can ask questions, share progress photos, and support each other. Explain the public liability insurance coverage and safeguarding protocols. Take initial photos to document the start of each partnership. Provide each pairing with a seasonal planting guide and encourage them to start with easy-to-grow crops like lettuce, radishes, and herbs to build confidence quickly.

Maintain regular contact with all five pairings through WhatsApp group communications, individual check-in phone calls, and occasional in-person visits throughout the growing season. Organise monthly workshops (typically one Saturday per month) on topics such as seasonal planting, pest management, composting, preserving harvests, and saving seeds. Facilitate community meetups where all pairings can gather, share experiences, showcase their harvests, and build wider connections beyond their individual partnerships. Monitor how partnerships are developing and address any issues promptly, providing mediation if communication challenges arise. Share timely growing tips, reminders about seasonal tasks, and encouragement through the WhatsApp group. Help participants troubleshoot problems with pests, weather challenges, or crop failures. Document successes through photos and participant feedback. Celebrate milestones and achievements publicly. Connect experienced pairings with newer participants for peer mentoring. At season's end, gather feedback to improve the programme and encourage participants to continue for another growing season. Report outcomes and impact stories to the Community Roots organisation to contribute to the national movement's growth.