School Work Experience (ages 14-18) and Youth Volunteering with New Shoots
Please Note: read these instructions carefully, then scroll down to make sure you click through to the correct programme you wish to apply for - if the garden you wish to apply for is not listed on this page then applications are now closed.
Thank you for your interest in either school work experience or youth volunteering with New Shoots
- All our currently available opportunities are listed below - please carefully read the descriptions. Check the placement or role is suitable for you before applying.
- If you can’t find the opportunity that you are looking for, it means that the applications are currently closed. You can request to be added to our mailing list here to be informed when applications open.
To apply for an opportunity, please click 'Continue' on the correct garden tile below first and then click 'Fill in an application' . Our application process starts with asking you to create a profile on our work experience/volunteer management software called 'My Impact'. If you already use My Impact for another organisation or are a current RHS Volunteer looking to apply for a different opportunity, please use your existing username and password to log in.
If you are under the age of 16 you must get the permission of your parent/guardian to complete this application.
If you have any questions before, or during, applying please contact us on newshoots@rhs.org.uk
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RHS youth work experience and youth volunteering
RHS Garden Wisley Summer 2027 School Work Experience
Applications are currently open for Spring/Summer 2027. PLEASE NOTE that we are not able to take any applications for 17-21 May 2027.
We now accepting applications for limited school/college work experience placements available Monday to Friday at RHS Garden Wisley for Spring/Summer 2027.
RHS Garden Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society located just off of Junction 10 of the M25 between the A3 and Woking in Surrey. We offer work experience opportunities of one week, subject to availability, for individuals in years 10/11 and sixth form during Spring/Summer. All placements are a great way for you to explore what it is like in the workplace, gain general skills such as teamwork, and specifically gain and understanding of professional horticulture.
The first round of placements are awarded after applications are assessed together in the New Year - successful applicants will be advised whether they have been offered a placement following this assessment in the New Year.
The Second round of placements are awarded after applications are assessed together in Spring - successful applicants will be advised whether they have been offered a placement in Late Spring.
Placements are offered within the following teams:
- Gardens (Curatorial) - work with our skilled horticulturists to develop and maintain our plant collections in a variety of horticultural settings, from our formal gardens through to our glasshouse and specialist collections such as Alpine.
- Plant Centre - work alongside colleagues in the plant shop to create inspiring displays of seasonal plants and horticultural consumables, delivery great customer service to our visitors and care our wide selection of plant species available to buy.
- Science & Collections - rotate between two or three of our teams, including our horticultural library, horticultural information, environmental horticulture and plant health to discover how to curate a living scientific collection and carry out leading horticultural research.
- Education - work with our onsite education team to develop and maintain our learning gardens and deliver engaging workshops about the natural world to school groups or adult learners.
- Visitor experience (for sixth form only) - work alongside our visitor services team to deliver a warm welcome to our garden visitors, developing your customer service skills, as well as finding out about the ways we inspire our visitors with our horticultural heritage.
To apply for a placement you will need to complete the application form and tell us specifically why you would like to undertake work experience with the RHS.
If you are successful, but your chosen team is no longer available (this could be due to spaces already having been filled or dates being incompatible), you may be offered an alternative team.
If you have any questions before, or during, the application process please contact us at newshoots@rhs.org.uk
We are committed to being an inclusive recruiter and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all applicants to share this commitment.
To apply, complete an application form at the top of this page, even if you have applied with us before. Please note this link will take you through to our Work Experience Portal where, if you have not already done so, you will be prompted to create a login before progressing to the application form. If you have used this system before, please use your existing login details.
RHS Garden Bridgewater School Work Experience
RHS Garden Bridgewater, located in Salford, Greater Manchester, offers one-week work experience placements (subject to availability) for students in Years 10 and 11, as well as sixth form students.
Our placements provide an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the world of work, develop valuable transferable skills such as teamwork and communication, and learn more about professional horticulture and careers within the RHS.
Placement Areas
Work experience placements may be available within the following teams:
- Gardens (Curatorial Team) - supporting the care and maintenance of our beautiful garden spaces.
- Welcome Building - gaining experience across visitor services, catering and retail.
- Education Team - supporting school visits and learning activities.
- Mechanical Engineering - working alongside our Mechanical Engineer to gain an insight into machinery and maintenance operations.
How to Apply
To apply for a placement, please complete the application form and tell us why you are interested in undertaking work experience with the RHS. We are particularly interested in understanding your motivation and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Application Review Process
For spring and summer placements, applications are reviewed in two rounds:
- Early December - for applications submitted before the start of the spring term.
- Early March - for all remaining applications.
Applications received after the March review date will be considered on an ongoing basis, subject to availability.
Applications are assessed against other submissions, and you will be notified whether your application has been successful.
Questions?
If you have any questions before or during the application process, please contact us at newshoots@rhs.org.uk.
Our Commitment to Inclusion and Safeguarding
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment.
Before You Apply
Please complete a new application form, even if you have previously applied for a work experience placement with us.
Selecting the application link at the top of this page will take you to our Work Experience Portal. If you are new to the system, you will be asked to create an account before completing your application. If you have used the portal before, please sign in using your existing login details.
RHS Garden Rosemoor School work experience
PLEASE NOTE: We are not able to take applications for 17-21 May 2027.
RHS Garden Rosemoor is the Royal Horticultural Society's garden nestled in the North Devon Torridge Valley. We offer work experience opportunities of one week, subject to availability, for individuals in years 10/11 and sixth form during Autumn and late Spring/Summer. All placements are a great way for you to explore what it is like in the workplace, gain general skills such as teamwork, and specifically gain an understanding of professional horticulture.
Placements are offered within the following teams:
- Gardens (Curatorial)
- Food and beverage (Catering) please let us know on your application if you would like to work in the kitchen, front of house or a mix of both
-School visits (Education)
-Public Programming (Events)
To apply for a placement you will need to complete the application form and tell us specifically why you would like to undertake work experience with the RHS.
Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis. Your application will be scored against other applications received, and you will be notified whether you have been successful or unsuccessful in being awarded a placement.
If you have any questions before, or during, the application process please contact us at newshoots@rhs.org.uk
We are committed to being an inclusive recruiter and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all applicants to share this commitment.
To apply, complete an application form at the top of this page, even if you have applied with us before. Please note this link will take you through to our Work Experience Portal where, if you have not already done so, you will be prompted to create a login before progressing to the application form. If you have used this system before, please use your existing login details.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr Youth Volunteering (Yorkshire)
Applications for Youth Volunteering at RHS Garden Harlow Carr for Summer 2026 are now closed.
Do you care about the environment? Like being outdoors? Want to gain more experience in gardening? meet like-minded people and develop your skills?
Why not come and support the UK’s leading gardening charity in the beautiful setting of RHS Garden Harlow Carr
As part of RHS’ project to increase the number and diversity of people choosing horticultural careers and volunteering, The New Shoots team are offering youth volunteering roles for anyone aged 14-21. These will be over the summer of 2026 on the following dates.
The sessions will involve working with the Harlow Carr New Shoots coordinator to carry out seasonal activities in and around RHS Garden Harlow Carr.
The sessions will be from 10.30 – 1.00 on the following dates:
Tuesday 22nd July, Tuesday 28th July, Thursday 13th August, Tuesday 25th August, Thursday 27th August.
If you would like to become a youth volunteer we would like you to attend at least 3 of the five sessions across the summer.
(Please note that as a volunteer, you are eligible to apply for support with the transport costs of getting to the garden. Please get in touch if you would like further information about this before applying)
Please read the RHS Garden Harlow Carr Youth Volunteer Role for more details on what the role will include.
Applicants aged 14-21 should feel free to apply - we welcome everyone to apply, whether you have no gardening experience or lots, are confident talking to visitors or want to develop your engagement skills!
We will invite you to an informal chat, either via teams or at RHS Garden Harlow Carr to decide whether the role is suitable for you before we offer places.
The application deadline Friday 19th June.
If you are still not sure please get in touch with us at NewShoots@rhs.org.uk for more information
We are committed to being an inclusive recruiter and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all volunteers to share this commitment.
To apply, complete an application form at the top of this page, even if you have volunteered with us before. Please note this link will take you through to our Volunteer Portal where, if you have not already done so, you will be prompted to create a login before progressing to the application form. If you have used this system before, please use your existing login details.
Please make sure you describe how your skills are relevant to the role you are applying for (as specified in the role description) as this is how applicants will be shortlisted.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr School Work Experience (Yorkshire)
Situated in Harrogate North Yorkshire, RHS Garden Harlow Carr is the most northerly of all the RHS gardens.
Please not that we are not yet accepting applications for work experience for Spring / Summer 2027. Please check back regularly for when the application process will be open.
We offer work experience opportunities of one week, subject to availability, for individuals in years 10/11 and sixth form. All placements are a great way for you to explore what it is like in the workplace, gain general skills such as teamwork, and specifically gain an understanding of professional horticulture.
Placements are currently offered within the following teams:
- Gardens (Curatorial)
- Library Services and Events planning
- School Visits (Education)
- Retail / Plant Centre / Visitor Services ( from Spring / Summer 2026)
- Catering (from Spring / Summer 2026)
To apply for a placement you will need to complete the application form and tell us specifically why you would like to undertake work experience with the RHS.
We review all the applications that we receive ( for Spring / Summer work experience) in January and then we review again in Early March. If you apply after March, we will be happy to review your application but please be aware that all the opportunities for that year may have been taken by then. Your application will be scored against other applications received, and you will be notified whether you have been successful or unsuccessful in being offered a placement.
If you are successful, but your chosen team is no longer available (this could be due to spaces already having been filled or dates being incompatible), you may be offered an alternative team.
If you have any questions before, or during the application process please contact us at newshoots@rhs.org.uk
We are committed to being an inclusive recruiter and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all applicants to share this commitment.
To apply, complete an application form at the top of this page, even if you have applied with us before. Please note this link will take you through to our Work Experience Portal where, if you have not already done so, you will be prompted to create a login before progressing to the application form. If you have used this system before, please use your existing login details.
