Volunteer Hub
The Firs Botanical Garden Volunteers
Organisation Details
Firs Botanical Grounds
Activity type: Environment and Gardening
Sub theme: Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Heritage
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: The University of Manchester Botanical Grounds is part of the Firs Environmental Research Station, located close to Owen's Park in Fallowfield. We offer a range of volunteering opportunities for taking part in gardening activities, contributing towards building a botanical garden for outreach and teaching.
Description of role: The University of Manchester Botanical Gardens in Fallowfield (also known as “The Firs”), once part of the estate of Sir Joseph Whitworth, is situated between the Owen's Park student halls and the Armitage Centre. This is an historic garden that has been neglected in recent years. Check us out on Instagram! @uom_botanical_grounds
Our objective is to revive the garden and plant collection to make it a resource for the University, for use in teaching and community outreach. Oliver Hughes, Osian Thierry and Megan O'Dowd look after the site and will induct and support all new volunteers. He will help you to decide which bits of the garden you would like to work on - this might involve trying lots of different things or even 'adopting' a small section where you can volunteer regularly.
Jobs that need doing on site include repotting plants from the historic greenhouses, creating a bog garden, watering, weeding and planting into beds (to name just a few things!). There's loads of choice and the potential to learn plenty of new skills! If you are green-fingered and have an idea for a small project on site then Oliver and Osian would be happy to discuss this; get in touch at firs@manchester.ac.uk
There are indoor jobs but work may also be outside and may involve soil and hard work, so come in scruffy clothes and ideally work boots or wellies. There are toilets on site, car and bike parking, and plenty of beautiful places to sit and have a brew when you're ready for a break.
Volunteering at the Firs is best on Thursdays as we have a committed group of students and members of the local community who come every week to get their hands dirty and get stuck in! But if this time does not suit you, you can always join one of our student volunteering groups who meet on Wednesday afternoons, these opportunities are also on the volunteer hub under the 'Botany Society' and 'Rootable'.
This opportunity is great for students who live around the Fallowfield area, or anybody who enjoys gardening and would like being outdoors in this peaceful oasis in the middle of a busy student area.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Click 'Apply Now' at the bottom of the advert and we will be in touch to discuss options for volunteering and dates/times you might be available. This volunteer opportunity is available all year round. We normally conduct inductions to familiarise you with the site on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am.
Our objective is to revive the garden and plant collection to make it a resource for the University, for use in teaching and community outreach. Oliver Hughes, Osian Thierry and Megan O'Dowd look after the site and will induct and support all new volunteers. He will help you to decide which bits of the garden you would like to work on - this might involve trying lots of different things or even 'adopting' a small section where you can volunteer regularly.
Jobs that need doing on site include repotting plants from the historic greenhouses, creating a bog garden, watering, weeding and planting into beds (to name just a few things!). There's loads of choice and the potential to learn plenty of new skills! If you are green-fingered and have an idea for a small project on site then Oliver and Osian would be happy to discuss this; get in touch at firs@manchester.ac.uk
There are indoor jobs but work may also be outside and may involve soil and hard work, so come in scruffy clothes and ideally work boots or wellies. There are toilets on site, car and bike parking, and plenty of beautiful places to sit and have a brew when you're ready for a break.
Volunteering at the Firs is best on Thursdays as we have a committed group of students and members of the local community who come every week to get their hands dirty and get stuck in! But if this time does not suit you, you can always join one of our student volunteering groups who meet on Wednesday afternoons, these opportunities are also on the volunteer hub under the 'Botany Society' and 'Rootable'.
This opportunity is great for students who live around the Fallowfield area, or anybody who enjoys gardening and would like being outdoors in this peaceful oasis in the middle of a busy student area.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Click 'Apply Now' at the bottom of the advert and we will be in touch to discuss options for volunteering and dates/times you might be available. This volunteer opportunity is available all year round. We normally conduct inductions to familiarise you with the site on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Practical Skills, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Wednesday Afternoon, Thursday Morning, Thursday Afternoon
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 0
Location:
Firs Environmental Research Station, Whitworth Lane, Fallowfield Campus
Manchester
M14 6HE