Elders Gardening Club

Are you easy going, empathetic and like working with people in a natural setting? Our Elders Gardening Club promotes mental and physical wellbeing through food-growing, arts, crafts and the making of natural remedies, together with laughter, tea and biscuits. We are looking for volunteers to help support and engage with the group and bring ideas and lots of energy.
No gardening experience is required - just bring enthusiasm and the will to develop a beautiful garden. Training will be provided
Where Centre for Wildlife Gardening, Peckham
When Tuesdays 2pm – 4pm
Special requirements A friendly and patient manner and the ability to team work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Contact Mara Crippa or 020 7252 9186

Sydenham Hill Wood Group
We run regular practical conservation sessions every Wednesday, and the second and fourth Sunday of the month.
Contact Ashley White 020 7252 9186

Volunteer warden, Southwark
We're looking for a responsible volunteer who has demonstrable experience in conservation and working with members of the public, to lead volunteer workdays in Sydenham Hill Woods. The role will suit someone looking to gain a wide range of experience to help them find work in the conservation field.
Where? Sydenham Hill Woods, a beautiful ancient/semi-ancient woodland on the borders of Southwark and Lewisham is managed by up to eight London Wildlife Trust volunteers every Wednesday and 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.
Special requirements You will need to be reliable and responsible, have outstanding leadership and communication skills and be available one (or preferably two) Sundays per month. There is also the opportunity to lead one Wednesday workday per month. Each workday would require your attendance on site from 10am to 3pm, and we ask all candidates to commit for at least 4 months. There will also be an option to assist on other London Wildlife Trust sites in Southwark.
Training London Wildlife Trust will provide all necessary training and re-imburse within London travel expenses for each time you lead a workday.
Contact Please email Ashley White with your CV and covering letter about your suitability for this great volunteering opportunity.

Volunteer education assistants
We need volunteers to assist with the delivery of formal and informal onsite and outreach environmental education sessions and events, mainly aimed at primary schools. The role will provide excellent work experience for anyone wanting a career in the environmental education sector. Volunteers will learn how to prepare and deliver environmental education programmes with a view to eventually leading sessions themselves, and receive hands on training in how to run successful outdoor events and activities.
Special Requirements A desire to work with children, basic wildlife knowledge and an enthusiasm for nature. Applicants will be CRB checked
Where? Centre for Wildlife Gardening, Dulwich Park, Sydenham Hill Woods and other sites in Southwark
When? Flexible - sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays over the spring, summer and autumn, with occasional weekends all year round.
Contact Mara Crippa for more information, 020 7252 9186

Happy Flowers project at Centre for Wildlife Gardening

London Wildlife Trust is looking for a friendly and confident individual to help support staff in leading the Happy Flower project.
Happy Flowers is a gardening project for adults with learning disabilities. The project has run since 1994, and we work with the same five adults every week.  Disabilities range in severity, and most of the adults have difficulties with communication. Basic gardening tasks and growing organic vegetables, arts and crafts are weekly activities.
Special requirements? Previous experience of working with people with learning disabilities is preferable but not essential. A patient and understanding personality are the key ingredients. Basic knowledge of gardening is useful but not essential.
Where?  Centre for Wildlife Gardening, Peckham
When? Every Monday 10am-3pm.  Minimum two month commitment
Travel expenses are reimbursed
Contact Mara Crippa   

Download the Happy Flowers Newsletter at the bottom of this page.

Your own slice of paradise

Would you like to ‘own’ a piece of the Centre for Wildlife Gardening in Peckham to look after? The Centre for Wildlife Gardening has a selection

of habitats, ranging from ponds and bogs, to raised ornamental beds and propagation greenhouses, that we would like to share with volunteers. For example, the herb bed and Mediterranean area, or woodland edge could be yours for a month or more (under supervision of course) so you can get an idea of how it needs to be managed and what sort of wildlife it attracts.
Where Centre for Wildlife Gardening, Peckham
Contact Elaine Hughes for more information - 0207 252 9186

Centre for Wildlife Gardening – volunteer programme
The Centre for Wildlife Gardening is an idyllic Green Pennant award

winning site in East Dulwich. It has a series of pocket habitats (such as a chalk slope, pond and meadow) and demonstration planting and vegetables. There is an award winning visitors centre with green roof where educational classes and courses are held.
We are looking for volunteers to take part in practical gardening activities such as general garden maintenance, potting up and planting out of plants, pond maintenance, clearance of invasive plants and the creation of log piles (to provide habitats for insects & reptiles). Sessions will be led by the centres experienced wildlife gardeners and volunteers will gain practical skills in gardening, plant and wildlife identification and habitat management.
What skills and experience do I need?  As much or as little as you can bring but full training is provided. However, enthusiasm, common sense and the ability to team work with people from diverse backgrounds is essential.
Where?  Centre for Wildlife Gardening
When? Wednesday and Thursday 10.30am – 4.40pm.
Volunteer inductions take place every other Wednesday. Please call to book. We will show you around, take your details and get you gardening!  Please wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear. Refreshments & protective clothing (e.g. gloves) will be provided.
Contact Elaine Hughes, Expert Gardener - Elaine Hughes or call 020 7252 9186

Volunteer Conservation Task Leader, Croydon
We're looking for a responsible volunteer to lead volunteer workdays at Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve in New Addington. You will be leading a small group of experienced volunteers to cut scrub and litter pick this beautiful chalk grassland site.

The role will suit someone looking to gain work experience in the conservation field.
Where? Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve, close to New Addington tramstop.

Special requirements You must be able to demonstrate knowledge of practical conservation techniques, be reliable and responsible and have excellent communication skills.  You must be available two Sundays per month from 10.30am – 3.30pm. Ideally you will be able to commit for at least 4 months.

Volunteer Goat Guardian
Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve, New Addington, Croydon.
Hutchinson’s Bank Nature Reserve is home to Elvis, Flora, Fauna, Mungo and Midge - 5 goats that are helping to maintain the grassland habitat by eating scrubby vegetation. We are looking for up to seven reliable volunteers to check the goats every day, come rain or shine.  You can visit at any time during the day. You would check that the goats look healthy, have enough water, are safely inside their paddock and that fences and gates are secure. The role would suit an active, practical person who is confident around animals. You will be given full training before you start and have access to a 24 hour back up should problems arise.
Contact  Peter Otley at The Old Surrey Downs Project on 01737 733933.

Pony Patrol Volunteers

Saltbox Hill Nature Reserve, near Downe
Saltbox Hill Nature Reserve has two new residents – Dartmoor ponies that help to maintain this rare chalk grassland by eating scrubby vegetation. We are looking for up to seven reliable volunteers to check the ponies every day, come rain or shine. You can visit at any time during the day.
You would check that the ponies look healthy, have enough water, are safely inside their paddock and that fences and gates are secure. The role would suit an active, practical person who is confident around animals. You will be given full training before you start and have access to a 24 hour back up should problems arise.
Contact Peter Otley at The Old Surrey Downs Project on 01737 733933.