“Sowing Seeds, Sharing Skills” Volunteer Project
Our Sowing Seeds, Sharing Skills volunteer programme ran from July 2016 until March 2017.
The programme – funded through the ‘Volunteering in Wales’ fund and Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Awards for All’ – included regular conservation management days as well as our ‘Indoor Growing’ project. 120 volunteers attended sessions through the programme and contributed a massive 1780 hours of their time.
The finale of the programme was the creation of a beautiful mosaic to celebrate the 30th anniversary of our charity, the Shared Earth Trust, which is now on display outside the main training centre:
Conservation Management and Wildlife Monitoring
We held regular conservation management days, where volunteers took part in a range of activities from coppicing, to creating habitat piles, to ditch maintenance. They also gained valuable experience in hedge-laying and assisted with the construction of a boardwalk and steps to improve access around our trails, as well as removing encroaching willow from a botanically diverse grassland.
Indoor Growing Project
In 2016 we received the generous donation of a greenhouse from a local supporter which enabled us to continue the development of our Kitchen Garden. A team of volunteers planted a range of veg under the expert guidance of tutor Malcolm Berry, who has previously taught courses for the RHS, and worked in the National Botanic Garden.
We have been both pleased and surprised with the popularity of the food growing project, and glad to be able to offer this opportunity to both new and old volunteers. We now have a fantastic kitchen garden and greenhouse, filled with a variety of vegetables and flowers – and beneficial insects.
The food growing project is continuing through the summer with fortnightly sessions, and new volunteers are always welcome.
or if you prefer you can phone us on 01570 493358
