Volunteer

Do you enjoy being outdoors?
Would you like to be part of a small but ever ‘growing’ garden charity enterprise that is full of potential?

We would love to welcome you to join our friendly team of volunteers that is currently maintaining and developing this historic walled garden back into a beautiful and productive space.

We are looking for individuals who would like to come and help with this rewarding project, and to share the benefits that volunteering here can bring, through the activity of gardening in a beautiul environment and a relaxed community atmosphere.

Tucked away in a corner of rural East Lothian with its big open skies you can regularly hear skylarks, buzzards, woodpeckers…. as well as the odd tractor or combine. Increased biodiversity and sustainability are very much our philosophy, along with the enhanced physical and mental well being of all our volunteers.

How it Works

Growing Matters is currently completely volunteer run. We are all enthusiastic amateurs (with varied backgrounds and available time), with a passion to see this wonderful garden develop and evolve to realise its potential, whilst learning skills, maintaining what we have created so far, and very much enjoying the process and environs as we go along.

No previous gardening experience is required; just a stout pair of boots and a willingness to learn or share your skills, and availability to come along to any of our volunteer sessions, or to participate in other ‘non-gardening’ ways.

If you would like to come along for a taster session, or to discuss your personal circumstances with one of our steering group, please do get in touch.

Some of the activities you might enjoy…

  • Planting and growing fruit, vegetables and flowers
  • Plant propagation through seeds and cuttings
  • Digging, weeding, hoeing and, occasionally watering
  • Cutting grass or strimming
  • Sharing your knowledge with others
  • Learning the names of plants you don’t know
  • Discovering biodiversity in the garden
  • Designing and laying out planted areas

 

  • Garden crafts such as willow weaving or bee keeping
  • Woodworking and joinery
  • Building a shed, laying a path, building a fence

 

  • Enjoying tea, coffee, cake and chat with other volunteers – available at all volunteer sessions
  • Helping out at garden open days and other promotions
  • We also have non-gardening opportunities such as liasing with outlets for garden produce, researching new ventures and opportunties for garden development, websites, leaflets, posters, etc….

Volunteering in the garden can be as sociable or peaceful as you choose. There is always the potential to strike up lasting friendships with fellow gardeners, with plenty of space and options for a bit of ‘me time’.

 

 

Volunteering Sessions

  • 10am till 1pm every Monday
  • 1pm till 4pm every Thursday

Closed Mid December to end of January.

 

Volunteers can come as often as they like and no one is obliged to stay for the whole session – take your time at your own pace and do as much or as little as you feel capable of.

Every little you can do in the garden makes a huge difference, and all volunteers are valued equally, no matter how many hours in a day, week or month you feel able to contribute.

All volunteers will be given a booklet with our aims, core values, and health and safety essentials that we feel are necessary for outdoor cooperative work and equal opportunities

Unfortunately we do not allow dogs at volunteer sessions.