Allotment Volunteer - growing vegetables for local food banks

Nurture Through Nature grows veg on allotment plots at Moulsecoomb Allotments on Natal Road and we donate the produce to local food bank who are not able to store fresh produce so we provide potatoes, carrots, fruit and some green veg and salad leaves as and when they can use it. This means that food banks users receive some fresh produce so they can have a more varied diet - more like the food they would buy.

This year gardening restarts after our winter break on 3 February. We look forward to hearing from you.

We also collect unwanted produce from other growers at the Moulsecoomb Allotments. 

Volunteers work in small friendly groups with informal supervision and training.  Tasks include clearing and preparing veg beds, sowing seeds, weeding and harvesting.

We have a compost toilet, facilities to make hot drinks.  Natal Road is just off the Lewes Road and easily accessible on foot, by car or on the bus.

Sessions are on weekdays, actual days vary. 

Skills

You don't need to have gardening skills or experience just an interest in learning.  We provide informal training in veg growing and gardening. 

You need enough general fitness to be able to manage tasks like weeding and picking crops. We will find out enough about you to be able to give you tasks that will suit you and take into account any health concerns. You need to be able to manage on uneven ground as allotments, by their nature, are sloping and accessed by makeshift paths.

Volunteering with us will suit you if you want to learn or practise growing vegetables or if you just want to get active in the fresh air with friendly people and give back to your community.

Benefits

1. Learning vegetable growing and general gardening skills.
2. Working with a group of friendly people doing something that really benefits others.
3. Exercise in the open air and getting your hands in the soil!

Practical Considerations

The Moulsecoomb allotments are located at the top of Natal Road, behind Mithras House on Lewes Road. Our main plot is number 36A.  Please note that the allotment entrance on Natal Road is located up quite a steep hill.

Lewes Road is well-served by buses.

There is some parking within the allotments site and there is room for 1 or 2 cars directly next to our plot. Residential parking applies in the neighbouring streets between specific times.

Volunteers meet at the gates and are taken to the plot by our gardening supervisor. Sessions are usually 5 hours long. Exact times vary. 

Volunteers should bring the following: –

• Suitable sturdy footwear for gardening and digging (no open toed shoes).
• Suitable clothing including a sun hat and sun screen or wet weather gear.
• Food and drinks for personal consumption (including lunch).

We provide plenty of hand sanitiser and facilities to make a hot drink. 

Please note that volunteers will need a reasonable level of fitness and physical mobility as the plot is located on quite a large allotment plot with uneven ground. Unfortunately neither our plot nor the allotments as a whole are wheelchair accessible. 

We have installed a camping-style toilet in a shed at our allotment shed, but bear in mind that facilities are basic.

There is a freshwater tap on our allotment for drinking water and hand-washing, which is turned off during the winter months to prevent freezing of pipes (Nov-March). 

When do I need to be available?

Details	Gardening sessions are on weekdays (Monday and Friday at present) and run from 10.00 to 2.00. You can attend as many sessions as you wish and there is no commitment to attend particular days. We stop gardening from 12 December to 3 February as it's not good for the soil to be worked when cold and wet. You are welcome to register during that time but won't get your hands in the earth till Feb 2023

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Where does this role take place?

Register your Interest