How we can help

Many of our members are dependent on volunteers for their survival and development, as they often only have a few, if any, paid staff. Groups are often started by a group of volunteers from the local community and continue to encourage volunteers to take part at all levels of their organisation. Volunteers may be asked to:

  • Look after livestock and crops
  • Support other users with, for example, special needs to become involved with the farm or garden
  • Help run community enterprises like cafes and shops
  • Get involved in afterschool clubs, projects and playwork
  • Carry out general maintenance and construction work
  • Help with administration and fundraising
  • And, of course, as members of their management committees to be responsible for their overall management and sustainability.

We receive many requests from the public about volunteering opportunities. Unfortunately, we cannot arrange volunteering opportunities at specific sites or give updates on where volunteering opportunities are available because these change on a daily basis.

Please use the online map or list search function on this website to find contact details for our member organisations near you who may have volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering is a great way to meet people, get involved in a local community project, and to gain new skills and, in some cases, vocational qualifications. Most of all, it's fun!

Other organisations for volunteers

  • The Conservation Volunteers (formerly BTCV) is the largest organisation in the UK promoting practical conservation work by volunteers. It offers thousands of volunteering opportunites every year throughout the UK as well as an international programme. Visit their website to find out more at www.tcv.org.uk/
  • Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOFERS) is a membership organisation which puts volunteers in touch with organic farmers and gardeners who are looking for help. To find out more, including how to join, e-mail: [email protected] or visit the website at www.wwoof.org.uk/
  • The National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs may also be able to help. Tel: 01203 857 200 or take a look at their website at www.nfyfc.org.uk/
  • The Volunteering England website has more information about volunteering in general at www.volunteering.org.uk/
  • Do-it is the UK's first national volunteering database with thousands of volunteering opportunities which you can search according to the type of cause you want to support, the kind of work you want to do and the time you have available. Find out more at www.do-it.org.uk/

Case Studies

Inspirational case studies from our members across the UK.

Events

Includes our own training events and workshops, and selected events and training run by organisations in the sector we think might be relevant. We aim to share the buzz and keep you informed.