How do I find an affordable gardener?

[stirling]

I've recently become a single mum, have a huge garden that's really never been particularly well kept. All the neighbours around here are well off and have their gardeners on contract.
My front and back garden need weeding, tidying up really - ex Dh mows the lawn out of pity once a month but otherwise the gardens need attention.

I've had serious health issues else I'd do it. Gardeners charge something like £50 per fortnight for maintenance only! Apparently a tidy up would be a completely different rate.

I can't afford £100 on my garden every month. Any suggestions how I can get help at a more reasonable price?

Gumtree - I've called one person and he charges £25 per hour, by himself. It would take at least a day to get all the weeds pulled out and tidying done - can't afford several hundred pounds.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Could you contact a charity for your health condition and see if they do voluntary help?

That's a good idea Laurie...thanks

Our local Facebook page is currently full of students home for the summer offering their dog waking / babysitting etc services. They may not know a weed from a prized specimen but worth checking out?

Can you share your garden with someone who loves gardening but has no garden space of their own? There used to be a charity or movement of some sort that did that I think. Unfortunately gardens do need constant maintenance.

I agree with Haint - there are LOADS of students home from University and post GCSE or A Level students about who would work s few hours for a much lower rate.
If you have your own lawnmower / trowel whatever, in the shed, that could be your answer. Might not have a great knowledge of particular plants, but a lot of garden maintenance people don't either.

Thanks for the suggestions all! Students that's a good idea.

I'm not very active on Facebook - barely know how it works, but I'll look up now..

Thanks

Our gardener came to us by word of mouth, but when she first started out, she told me that she put up an advert in the corner shop. Maybe have a look at old fashioned places like that? We pay £15/hour (south east). She brings her own tools but doesn't dispose of the garden waste.