At the Firs Botanical Grounds, we have been busy sowing seeds, repotting and caring for a wide range of vegetables. Now that the seedlings have grown and found new homes in the polytunnel, they are ready for us to begin our weekly harvests, so that the produce can be used in local community veg schemes. Oldham Veg Box and Cracking Good Food require our donations in order to provide their brilliant work – for those who attended our Big Volunteer Day, you might remember Cracking Good Food for their excellent dhal at Brunswick Community Church! This food goes to people in need in the local community, a particularly important cause during the present Cost of Living Crisis.
In order for this work to go ahead, they need support from contributors like us at the Firs – and we need your help to continue supporting them!

Therefore, we will be holding weekly harvesting sessions at the Firs, every Tuesday between 11am and 3pm and Veg growing on Thursdays between 11m and 3pm. These sessions will involve watering and looking after the veg but mainly harvesting and preparing it to go out to Cracking Good Food and the Oldham Veg Box Scheme. If you think you might be able to help, please apply below. Our site is located close to Fallowfield Accommodation, so is close to those living in these halls and is also easily accessible from campus via the 142, 42, 143, 43 and 147 bus routes.

You don’t need any skills or qualifications to take part in this volunteering opportunity – just a little enthusiasm and energy! An interest in gardening or plant science would be a bonus, but is certainly not essential.

Please note: If you are interested in this opportunity but cannot make the time listed above, please email osian.thierry@manchester.ac.uk and we can try to arrange a better time around you. This will still need to be on a Tuesday and/or Thursday between 9am and 4pm.