Gardening volunteer

This role is a great opportunity to join our volunteer gardening team in a wildlife garden steeped in history within the historic setting of Shrewsbury Abbey and Shropshire Wildlife Trust headquarters in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury.

Volunteers help us to look after the heritage and wildlife gardens at our visitor centre, maintaining the space to inspire others to get into wildlife gardening and providing a beautiful, tranquil space for visitors to enjoy.

As a garden volunteer, you will:

- Work in a small, friendly team to maintain and improve the gardens, keeping them safe and accessible.

- Engage with members of the public in the garden.

- Represent Shropshire Wildlife Trust, engaging with the public where appropriate.

There are other areas that we would like to develop that you might like to get involved with including:

- Developing events and engagement opportunities for the garden.

- Developing resources to help showcase our garden and educate visitors.

- Maintaining our composting demonstration areas.

- Maintenance of outdoor infrastructure such as raised beds or outdoor furniture.

- Developing a structured retail offer using the seasonal produce from the garden.

The visitor centre is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 9.30am to 12.30pm. Currently, the garden team meets on Thursday mornings. We would like to ensure sessions occur as a team, but we are open to creating more sessions if enough team members are available.

The garden is fully accessible with level, wide paths and raised beds. Accessible toilet facilities are available in the visitor centre, next to the garden.

Garden volunteers will enjoy:

- A chance to work and socialise with a small, friendly team

- Training and support, with a full induction

- Opportunity to develop skills in gardening, retailing produce, customer service, DIY, and public engagement

- Branded SWT uniform

- Certifications and training in relevant areas such as manual handling

- Volunteer social events

About Shropshire Wildlife Trust

Shropshire Wildlife Trust is the only charitable organisation focused solely on nature conservation in this county. Ours is a beautiful county, but nature here has suffered decades of destruction, just as it has elsewhere.

We combine projects across Shropshire, including Telford & Wrekin, with advocacy and campaigning to restore nature and to engage people. We manage over 40 nature reserves and have almost 50 staff, 300 volunteers, and over 9,000 members.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust is part of The Wildlife Trust movement. There are 46 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. With 825,000 members The Wildlife Trusts are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the whole range of the UK's habitats and species.

Social profiles:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shropshire-wildlife-trust/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Shropshire-Wildlife-Trust/61573941734006/#
https://www.instagram.com/shropshirewildlifetrust
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNZuW3Fd8mNa-sUGsWJQdw

What skills do I need?

We are looking for people who:

- Have an interest in historic or wildlife gardens.

- Have experience in gardening/horticulture

- Are reliable and punctual.

- Are happy to carry out a variety of tasks, working outside as part of a team.

This role has an induction period of one month. We’ll ask you to read and adhere to our safeguarding policy, health and safety policy, and our volunteer code of conduct. You’ll receive a copy of these when you apply.

At Shropshire Wildlife Trust, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone is welcome. If you’re worried you don’t have quite the right skills, might not be able to participate in all activities, or need any support or adjustments to the role, have a chat with us and we’ll do everything we can to help you volunteer.

Our visitor centre and gardens are centrally located in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury.

By car:

- Easily accessible from the M54 and A5

- Pay & display car parking available at Abbey Foregate

- On-street parking available nearby – restrictions may apply

By public transport:

- Three minute walk from nearest bus stop at Asda, Old Potts Way, connecting to Park & Ride and local services

- Fifteen minute walk from Shrewsbury train station

Unfortunately we are not able to contribute to travel costs.

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Where does this role take place?