Volunteering at Core Landscapes

Volunteer sessions weekly – come rain or shine!

Core Landscapes welcomes and depends on volunteer help with caring for our gardens and plant nursery, our street planting project in Wardle Street and the meadow and community orchard in Homerton Grove.

Valuing volunteers’ time, skills and ideas are an inherent part of Core Landscapes’ ethos. We aim to listen to our volunteers’ reasons for joining us and wherever possible, cater the activities to the particular areas of interest of the volunteer. Volunteers can have responsibility for particular areas within Core Landscapes for vocational and personal development.

Download our Green Career leaflet.

Community Volunteering

Tuesdays 10am – 12.30pm or 1pm – 3pm

For people who would like to help look after the Core gardens and street greening project, and our Homerton Grove planting and by doing do increase gardening knowledge and boost mental wellbeing in a friendly and social environment. Also for people who would like to gain community project experience for vocational purposes. Please note – These sessions are not suitable for beginner gardeners; Though a staff member is on hand to guide during these sessions we regrettably do not have the capacity for one-to-one support. If you require a more supported session suitable for beginner gardeners please look at our Beginner Gardening Sessions on Thursdays (for Core Arts members only) and our referral process.

Support Volunteering

Tuesdays 10am – 12.00pm, or 1pm – 3pm
Wednesdays 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Thursday 10.30am – 12.30pm

For people with some (or lots of) gardening knowledge who would like to assist others in their learning and for people who would like to gain community project experience for vocational purposes.

NB This role requires a full DBS check and safeguarding training held at Core Arts.

Some Benefits of Volunteering with us:

  • Learning new skills
  • Meeting interesting people
  • Improving mental health and wellbeing
  • Expanding your CV
  • Having a positive impact on your community
  • Increasing self-esteem and confidence
  • Making a difference
  • Being valued
  • Satisfaction

Opportunities in:

  • Plant Propagation
  • Plant identification
  • Planting design
  • Construction
  • Marketing
  • Plant maintenance
  • Landscaping

We also value volunteer input in the areas of promotion, and event planning.

If you’re interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact garden@corearts.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. 

We do guided tours of the garden. View upcoming dates and reserve a space here.

We also offer ten-week garden placement opportunities for those studying and/or interested in horticulture to put skills into practise. For more information, please click here.

“Really nice to do something with your hands, touching plants and soil alongside other people. It’s a break from the computer. Great too that you can be working together on a communal project but not heavily engaging with each other if you don’t feel like it – that’s quite nice too.”

“As a foreigner designer passionate about nature, I was very happy to in finding a green hub where I can get in touch with local culture, meet new people and keep learning about plants and gardens.”

“I want to say thank you for all your support and teachings! I carry them with me.”

“There is always so much to learn and share.”

“Not only do I feel I am gaining experience & knowledge but week to week I am enjoying my time here so much. I am very grateful to be part of the project. It absolutely benefits my mental health & encourages wellbeing – Tuesdays are my favourite day of the week!”

“At some other services there is a lack of engagement and clarity but at Core the purpose is really clear and honest in that way. People need that. – Even as a volunteer. The project exists because this is needed. It’s good to have mental health up front so we can talk about it. (It’s) very reassuring – the clarity it good.”

“I am really enjoying being in an environment with like minded people that are curious to learn more, share knowledge & work as a team towards a common goal. I have met great people. I believe Core Landscapes is a fantastic initiative to encourage wellbeing.”

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