Hitchin Youth Allotment (HiYA) is a successful and nationally recognised community organisation run to get young people involved with gardening and growing fruit and vegetables. It is a fund and hands ...
Gardening volunteers
Practical details
Volunteering • Long term role
Contact person
Paul Dee
#61016
Scan me or visit www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Hitchin-Youth-Allotment/opportunities/Gardening-volunteers/61016 to join
Join our friendly group for regular or occasional volunteering to maintain our community allotments. Flexible arrangements..
Do you enjoy gardening or want to get into it? We provide flexible and easy going volunteering opportunities for people like you. Hitchin Youth Allotment provides courses and visits for young people to get into gardening and growing food. But this volunteering opportunity is purely behind the scenes and you will be gardening and not involved in the sessions for children. You do not need DBS clearance. Essentially you will be helping to keep the beds neat and tidy and watered so that when the lessons happen the children don't have to spend half their time on things like weeding!
There are lots of different ways to get involved, for example:
- join our regular Tuesday morning volunteer session, anytime between 9.30 and 12
- join our supporters list which means we let you know when we call occasional volunteer mornings on a Saturday, then you can come if free
- perhaps using paid volunteering days your organisation may offer
- agree specifics ways you can help around the time you have such as regular watering at times that suit you
- you can come alone or with a friend or as a corporate group
We are based in Hitchin (Old Hale Way). It is very relaxed, we want our volunteers to enjoy the experience. No special experience is necessary but you should like gardening and it is, of course, largely outside. If you are experienced we can definitely use that. Why not get in touch and we can discuss what might work.
Our volunteers say they get a lot out of it. They say they enjoy the easy going approach, working with a nice group of people and there is a real sense of working to a shared goal with social benefits. Also sometimes free veggies!
Hitchin Youth Allotment (HiYA) is a youth project where children grow fruit and vegetables, learn gardening skills and get involved in a really hands on way. They sow seeds, take cuttings, plant out, tend the plants, keep the plot in good shape, harvest, cook and eat the produce.
We aim to:
- encourage healthy eating and a healthy attitude to food
- connect young people with outdoors, the environment and with wider society
- build the children’s confidence and wellbeing
- we love supporting children with special educational needs.
HiYA runs on an entirely voluntary basis. This year we have over 350 children involved. The age range is mainly 5 to 15. We are accredited as a RHS Five Star Children's Gardening Project, their top level of recognition.
Related to
About Hitchin Youth Allotment
Hitchin Youth Allotment (HiYA) is a successful and nationally recognised community organisation run to get young people involved with gardening and growing fruit and vegetables. It is a fund and hands on environment linking up with local schools and youth groups. It is based on an allotment site in Hitchin and is run by a dedicated and friendly group of volunteers who deliver sessions with young people and maintain the allotment plots. It is a great place to volunteer for people keen on gardening, allotments, the environment and getting children outside!
See more opportunities by Hitchin Youth Allotment