Horticultural Volunteer

Horticultural Volunteer

Programme Lead: Chamberlain Highbury Trust Head Gardener

Hours: From 3 March 2026 onwards: Tuesdays, 10am–12pm (approx. 44 sessions per year)

Tuesday evenings, May–Sept, 6pm–8pm (18 sessions per year)

First Saturday of each month, 10am–1pm (12 sessions per year)

Occasional one-off planting days

Group Size: Up to 6 per regular session (up to 10 for one-off days)

Overview: Horticultural Volunteers support the detailed care and presentation of Highbury’s formal and historic garden areas. This role focuses on plant-specific care - regeneration of borders, shrub and hedge maintenance, selective weeding, and seasonal planting. Volunteers work closely with the Head Gardener to maintain high standards in areas that visitors experience most directly. Tasks are smaller-scale but require attention to detail and an interest in garden craft.

Training: All volunteers receive an induction covering safe hand-tool use, plant identification relevant to their tasks, and basic horticultural techniques such as pruning, border regeneration, and seasonal maintenance. Machinery use is optional and requires supervision and additional training.

Responsibilities

• Regenerate and maintain borders
• Carry out hedge cutting and seasonal shrub pruning
• Control invasive plants such as Himalayan balsam
• Manage bramble regrowth in garden areas
• Undertake weeding and general presentation tasks
• Use small tools and machinery (blowers, hedge cutters) with training
• Work safely and contribute to keeping garden areas tidy

What to Bring

• Sturdy footwear
• Comfortable but durable outdoor clothing
• Water bottle
• Garden gloves (spares provided)

Example Tasks

• Cutting back shrubs after flowering
• Rejuvenating overgrown borders
• Preparing planting areas for community events
• Light weeding and tidying of formal beds
• Assisting with balsam pulls in high-density areas
• Supporting seasonal planting or bulb-laying days