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We depend upon volunteers from our community to keep our services, administration and fundraising moving forward

Volunteering

As a small community-based charity with a small staff team, we depend upon volunteers do help deliver our services and run the charity. Volunteers made a huge impact in the early days of the garden site, where the site was cleared and redesigned and volunteers continue to play a crucial role in keeping the organisation running.

Key ways for volunteers to support the organisation are:

  1. As a Volunteer Support Worker. Volunteer Support Workers assist project staff with the delivery of therapeutic sessions for co-workers (service users). In addition to an interest in working with people with mental health problems or other significant illness, volunteers also bring skills in gardening or creative work. We are currently seeking Volunteer Support Workers in both Garden and Art and Craft (see below).
  2. As an Office Volunteer. Office Volunteers support the back office functions of the charity. We currently have volunteers working with us who carry out finance, administration, data analysis, database design and maintenance, fundraising, marketing and minute taking. We are currently particularly seeking volunteer support with office administration (see below).
  3. Supporting the delivery of our events. We hold fairs, open days and stalls, selling plants, crafts, refreshments etc. We very much rely on volunteers to help run and promote these events, which are a great opportunity for fundraising and to publicise our work. Get in touch if you would like to help us in this way.
  4. Supporting the transformation of our De Frene Allotment Site. During the spring and summer hold monthly community volunteering days on Saturdays for people who want to get involved in some physical clearance and gardening activity. For more information see our events section.
  5. As a Trustee. Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity, meeting monthly to review progress towards our strategic aims. We are currently seeking new Trustees. To find out more, contact us on 020 8291 1650 or info@sydenhamgarden.org.uk.
  6. By holding events for us. We are lucky enough to have some volunteers who hold events for us, either in their own homes or they arrange these with groups they are involved with. For example, one volunteer holds a plant sale in her garden every year, with profits to Sydenham Garden. Another organises an annual concert with the choir they sing in. Another holds regular coffee mornings to raise funds for us. If you are able to help us in this way, we would be very grateful! Get in touch if you would like information about Sydenham Garden or a speaker for your event.

 

Equality and Diversity

Sydenham Garden has an Equality and Diversity policy and seeks volunteers that represent the diverse communities within Lewisham and Bromley.

Volunteers with disabilities: We provide specialised gardening tools and equipment for those with disabilities, and have an adaptable computer workstation and hearing loop available in our resource centre.

Accessibility: Sydenham Garden seeks to be as accessible as possible. Our Resource Centre is fully wheelchair accessible, as is the majority of the garden site at Wynell Road which has been designed with people with diverse needs in mind. We also have hearing loop systems available within the building. Our De Frene site is a little more difficult to access although we are working to address this. Please let us know if you have any comments or queries.

CRB checks: Please note that because we work with vulnerable people we carry out Enhanced CRB checks on volunteers that work closely with our service users. However, a criminal record does not necessarily bar you from working with our service users.

Current Volunteer Vacancies

We are always interested to hear from potential volunteers with skills to offer, so please do get in touch even if you don't see the role advertised.

Roles we are currently recruiting for are:

Volunteer Garden Support Worker (minimum half day a week)

Role Description (Word version)
Role Description (pdf version)

Art & Craft Support Volunteer (Tuesday mornings)

Role Description (Word version)
Role Description (pdf version)

To apply, please complete an application form (word version) or you can phone for an informal chat. For a pdf version to print and complete by hand click here.

If you don't want to sign up as a regular volunteer, why not join us as a Friend of Sydenham Garden so that you hear about activities coming up.