Ryton Volunteers

Location: Garden Organic, Ryton Organic Gardens, Wolston Lane, Coventry, CV8 3LG

Department: Gardens

Position reports to: Head Gardener

Could you be a Gardens Volunteer?

Working as part of a team, our volunteer gardeners contribute to the maintenance and development of our flagship organic gardens, which serve to inspire and educate visitors, and the Heritage Seed Library, home of the National Collection of heritage vegetables. They also provide a friendly face for visitors, answering any questions they may have.

Our growing spaces at Ryton Gardens lie at the heart of our work to promote organic gardening, offering volunteers the chance to make a real contribution to our conservation and educational work in a beautiful and unique setting.

In looking after the HSL seed production spaces and tending to our beautiful display gardens you will develop your own knowledge and skills whilst helping to spread the organic message to visitors.

Simply enjoy the company of a friendly group of like-minded gardeners, develop your horticulture skills, or use your time with us as a stepping stone into work or college.

Our volunteer days on site are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, along with other opportunities to assist at occasional on and off-site public events such as garden shows, seed swaps and open days.

Main duties of the role

Working as part of a team of friendly staff and volunteers you will participate in the maintenance of the HSL seed production spaces and organic display garden. Tasks can be variable depending on the season, needs of the garden, and weather and can include:

• Weeding and general care of beds and borders.
• Seed sowing, propagation, nursery work, planting out.
• Pruning and care of shrubs and trees.
• Compost turning and mulch spreading.
• Hand pollinating for seed production.
• Harvesting and processing of seed.
• Assisting with seed packing.
• Helping to maintain clear signs and labels to educate and inform visitors.
• Assisting and answering questions from visitors.
• Assisting with stocktaking and other record keeping activities.
• Assisting with on and off-site public events such as garden shows, seed swaps and open days.
• Maintaining good Health and Safety practices.

What's in it for you?

• Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
• Meeting people from all walks of life
• Gaining new skills
• Developing your CV
• Knowing you are helping to support our work.

All Garden Organic volunteers will:

• Become part of a friendly and dedicated team.
• Maintain a clean and pleasant working environment.
• Work with professional courtesy and respectfully of other volunteers and members of staff.
• Report any safety concerns immediately to your supervisor.
• Be courteous, helpful and welcoming towards members of the public where required.
• Remain diligent about your own safety, and that of others at all times, whether on-site, travelling, field based or remote working.
• Engage honestly, openly and ethically at all times.
• Respect the property and produce of Garden Organic at all times, remaining respectful of the preservation of all growing spaces, processes, recording and storage.
• Be a positive ambassador for Garden Organic whilst out in the community or representing our organisation in any way.

What do we offer our volunteers?

• Full induction to Garden Organic
• Appropriate support and supervision
• Relevant training 
• Reasonable travel expenses.
• Membership of Garden Organic*
• Job References

*Subject to contributing an agreed number of hours per year