Gardening Volunteers
Our Gardening Volunteers help us care for and develop the wildlife‑friendly vegetable and flower beds at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre. By supporting the maintenance of our raised beds, borders, and demonstration areas, volunteers can learn about permaculture, and how to work with nature when gardening, rather than fight against it.
Gardening Volunteers also play a vital role in creating habitats for wildlife and ensuring our site remains a welcoming, inspiring place for visitors, course participants, and the local community.
Come and be a nature friendly gardener & food grower
What the Role Involves
Gardening Volunteers help with a wide range of practical tasks, including:
- Maintaining our wildlife‑friendly gardens and demonstration areas
- Weeding, planting, mowing, mulching, pruning, and general garden care
- Looking after raised beds, herb gardens, and edible planting areas
- Supporting habitat‑enhancing projects such as wildflower areas and pollinator planting
- Helping with composting, seed sowing, and propagation
- Keeping paths, seating areas, and outdoor spaces tidy and accessible
- Reporting any issues or hazards to staff or the activity mentor.
- Eating the fruits (and vegetables) of your labours!
Tasks vary throughout the year and can be adapted to your interests and abilities.
Who We’re Looking For
You don’t need to be an expert gardener — just enthusiastic and willing to get involved.
- Enjoyment of being outdoors in all weathers
- Interest in wildlife‑friendly and sustainable gardening
- Ability to work independently or as part of a small team Willingness to follow health and safety guidance
- A reasonable level of physical fitness (tasks can be adapted as needed)
- Ages 11+ welcomed and family volunteering is welcomed and encouraged!
WHEN AND WHERE
Regular volunteer sessions take place fortnightly on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm, but other times may be arranged depending on need. You can volunteer fortnightly, or occasionally. All sessions are held at
Denmark Farm Conservation Centre, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, SA48 8PB.
Our next sessions are (10am-1pm):
Wednesday 20 May
Wednesday 27 May
Wednesday 10 June
Wednesday 24 June
Saturday 27 June (BioBlitz)
We welcome new and returning volunteers to these sessions.
Support and Training
You will be provided with:
- A warm welcome and induction to Denmark Farm and our wildlife‑friendly ethos
- Guidance from mentors and experienced volunteers
- Training in nature‑friendly gardening techniques and safe tool use
- Opportunities to learn about conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable land management
What You’ll Gain
- Hands‑on experience in wildlife‑friendly gardening
- The chance to contribute to a unique conservation project
- Improved wellbeing through outdoor activity and connection with nature
- Opportunities to meet like‑minded people
- A sense of achievement from helping maintain a beautiful, biodiverse site
- You’ll enjoy some fresh air and light exercise.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Tools, equipment and gloves are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own if preferred
- Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear
- Travel expenses may be reimbursed in line with our volunteer expenses policy
- All volunteers must follow our health & safety and safeguarding guidance
Our facilitators
Andy Polkey
Conservation professional, permaculture enthusiast & gardener
Discovering permaculture in 1995 put Andy Polkey and his wife Angie on a life-long path of learning and growing, 25 years of that path rooted on and in their place in mid Wales. Professionally he has worked in conservation for almost 40 years and finds the “edge” between ecology and permaculture a fruitful and fascinating zone of cross fertilisation and interaction. But he is primarily and passionately a gardener, and since leaving full time work you can now find him spending many of his waking hours practicing gardening as meditation.
Angie Polkey
Permaculture, gardening & wildlife educator
Angie’s background in ecology and conservation helps her understand – and teach – the natural principles, patterns and processes that underpin sustainable and wildlife friendly gardening. With her husband, she cares for a small acreage in west Wales with several forest gardens, vegetable beds, a polytunnel & greenhouse, wildlife habitats, and hard-working chickens! After a long career with conservation organisations such as the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, Learning through Landscapes, Denmark Farm Conservation Centre and PONT Cymru, Angie now works as a freelance educator & advisor.
Conservation volunteers
Find out more about our Conservation Volunteer days
Marketing & admin volunteers
Find out more about our events and office based volunteer opportunities.
From March 2025 this project is funded by Welsh Government’s Volunteering Wales Main Grants Scheme, administered by WCVA.
This project was made possible from November 2023 to February 2025 thanks to a grant of £25,000 from the Postcode Community Trust- a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
