Over the last 12 months we have had 35 – 40 volunteers who have come to offer their time in the garden, the under 5’s drop in and the holiday and weekend play-scheme. People come to volunteer with us for different reasons. Some may be suffering from mental health issues such as depression and are looking for something of interest to do to keep themselves occupied, others come to us because they have been unemployed for a while and are looking to keep active and gain new skills while trying to get back into work. We also get volunteers who have physical or learning disabilities who come because they want to feel less socially excluded and also want to improve their skills and lead as normal a life as possible.

People usually commit to a minimum of two hours per week. All volunteers are given as much support as possible depending on their needs from the volunteer co-ordinator and other members of staff, and are encouraged to be involved with all the day to day running of the Calthorpe whether it is in the garden/food growing project, the drop in or working with young people.

We aim to be as supportive as we can to anyone who volunteers regarding how they can get into further training and education and all will receive a written reference any time they require one. Some of the people who come to us may be overcoming traumatic experiences which has left them with a lack of confidence and low self esteem so by coming to us and volunteering we can help improve on this and give people back a sense of purpose in their lives.

The majority of the people who volunteer with us would be working in the garden and food growing area. They will gain skills on all areas of gardening and growing while being supported by the staff at all times. Since the beginning of the year one of our volunteers has gone on to employment and another has decided to go on and look into an apprenticeship in horticulture. Some quote from volunteers include “ I love it here, I get withdrawals when I’m not able to come here “ – Garden volunteer, and “ I feel like I become part of peoples lives “ – Drop in volunteer.

For information on volunteering at the Calthorpe Project contact :

Gaven Duffy : Volunteer Co-ordinator on 020 7837 8019