Volunteer Hub
Dye Garden Volunteer
Organisation Details
STITCHED UP COMMUNITY BENEFIT SOCIETY LIMITED
Activity type: Art and Design, Community Work, Environment and Gardening
Sub theme: Culture, Heritage
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Stitched Up is a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society inspiring communities across Greater Manchester to take action on sustainable fashion.
We are currently based in Bridge 5 Mill where we run sewing workshops, mending socials as well as volunteer and textile reuse programmes. We work with local community to teach people about the environmental impact of the fashion industry and how to care for, mend and up-cycle their clothes. We also campaign for the rights of garment makers and for fast fashion companies to take accountability for their dangerous and damaging practices. Our aim is to lower the barrier of entry for these skills, by improving access; creating opportunities for people to take action on sustainable fashion in their own lives.
We’re always looking for passionate and enthusiastic volunteers to join our team. We run relaxed regular volunteer sessions once a week at Bridge 5 Mill as well as variety of other busier events such as Yard Sales, Clothes Swaps and Repair Cafes. We always have a lot going on to get involved with so there should be something to suit everyone.
You don’t have to be able to sew to volunteer with us, but it does help if you share our passion for sustainable fashion!
We are currently based in Bridge 5 Mill where we run sewing workshops, mending socials as well as volunteer and textile reuse programmes. We work with local community to teach people about the environmental impact of the fashion industry and how to care for, mend and up-cycle their clothes. We also campaign for the rights of garment makers and for fast fashion companies to take accountability for their dangerous and damaging practices. Our aim is to lower the barrier of entry for these skills, by improving access; creating opportunities for people to take action on sustainable fashion in their own lives.
We’re always looking for passionate and enthusiastic volunteers to join our team. We run relaxed regular volunteer sessions once a week at Bridge 5 Mill as well as variety of other busier events such as Yard Sales, Clothes Swaps and Repair Cafes. We always have a lot going on to get involved with so there should be something to suit everyone.
You don’t have to be able to sew to volunteer with us, but it does help if you share our passion for sustainable fashion!
Description of role: We're creating a Community Dye Garden in Victoria Park, Stretford. Natural dyeing is the process of using plants and flowers to create natural colours to dye fabrics, paper etc... We've been growing the garden for a year and we'd love for you to join us!
You can find out more about the project, read the blog and join the forum on our website: https://stretfordcdg.wordpress.com/
The garden is located in Victoria Park in Stretford M32 0AD, What3words /// hike.leaves.festivity
We've got lots of different ways to get involved, which I've listed below and you can help out with the following as little or as much as you like!
Gardening Sessions
If you'd like to get your hands muddy we run gardening sessions on a few Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month. No gardening experience required!
During these sessions you'll help us prep, plant and maintain the garden. This is a great way to get hands-on with nature, meet new people and enjoy some free refreshments in the cafe after! Please dress for the weather. We have tools you can use but feel free to bring your own if you'd like.
Evening Socials
We also run a monthly evening social session where the focus will be more on the dyeing aspect of the project, as well as prepping for events, workshops and planning for the future of the garden, again no experience required and everyone is welcome.
Using the Garden
If you're a natural dyer yourself please feel free to come and pick plants from the garden for use in your own practice - the garden is a communal resource for local natural dyers. Please just be mindful of others and just take as much as you need.
Natural Dye Forum
We are also setting up and running a Dyer's forum where we can share knowledge and results of natural dye experimentation - please share your successes, failures and experiments with us so we can continue to grow this bank of knowledge:
https://stretfordcdg.wordpress.com/natural-dye-forum/
Work Experience/ Longer-term Volunteering
Finally if you're looking for a project/ work experience or longer-term volunteering, we're looking for volunteers who would like to help lead the gardening team or run some skill-sharing sessions focused on natural dyeing.
Once you've signed up I'll get in touch and send you a link to our volunteer portal - thanks!
You can find out more about the project, read the blog and join the forum on our website: https://stretfordcdg.wordpress.com/
The garden is located in Victoria Park in Stretford M32 0AD, What3words /// hike.leaves.festivity
We've got lots of different ways to get involved, which I've listed below and you can help out with the following as little or as much as you like!
Gardening Sessions
If you'd like to get your hands muddy we run gardening sessions on a few Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the month. No gardening experience required!
During these sessions you'll help us prep, plant and maintain the garden. This is a great way to get hands-on with nature, meet new people and enjoy some free refreshments in the cafe after! Please dress for the weather. We have tools you can use but feel free to bring your own if you'd like.
Evening Socials
We also run a monthly evening social session where the focus will be more on the dyeing aspect of the project, as well as prepping for events, workshops and planning for the future of the garden, again no experience required and everyone is welcome.
Using the Garden
If you're a natural dyer yourself please feel free to come and pick plants from the garden for use in your own practice - the garden is a communal resource for local natural dyers. Please just be mindful of others and just take as much as you need.
Natural Dye Forum
We are also setting up and running a Dyer's forum where we can share knowledge and results of natural dye experimentation - please share your successes, failures and experiments with us so we can continue to grow this bank of knowledge:
https://stretfordcdg.wordpress.com/natural-dye-forum/
Work Experience/ Longer-term Volunteering
Finally if you're looking for a project/ work experience or longer-term volunteering, we're looking for volunteers who would like to help lead the gardening team or run some skill-sharing sessions focused on natural dyeing.
Once you've signed up I'll get in touch and send you a link to our volunteer portal - thanks!
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Practical Skills, Project Management, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Start date:
End date:
Opportunity times: Wednesday AM, Thursday Evening, Saturday AM
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: 2
Location: