Volunteers are an important and valued part of the National Botanic Garden of Wales
As one of the most visited Gardens in the UK, we are noted for our friendly atmosphere and approach to our visitors. We value and very much appreciate our volunteers and regard them amongst our important ambassadors, whether on-site or wherever they go in the world, contributing to developing and promoting our reputation.
Why we support and need Volunteers
The Garden recognises that the activities of volunteers are an important positive force in raising the organisation’s profile and support in the community. Volunteers are a vital part of the Garden’s lifeblood and are amongst its ambassadors. Volunteers are able to bring special extra skills, experience, and dimensions to benefit the Garden. They also help link the Garden closely with the wider community – the community of place and the community of people. Engaging a wide diversity of perspectives and approaches is widely acknowledged as bringing added value to organisations.
As with a lot of charities in the UK, the Garden’s resources are limited. Therefore, to enable the Garden to meet its objectives it has developed and maintains an essential, balanced, effective, and mutually beneficial staff/volunteer partnership. This is based on the principle that Garden staff provide the structure, organisation, direction and day-to-day management, whilst volunteers add value to the Garden’s work by performing a wide range of roles, contributing their time, flexibility, experience and specialist skills. Thus within this framework, volunteering is a legitimate and crucial activity which is supported and encouraged by the Garden.
Volunteering Opportunities
The Botanic Garden has the following volunteer placements available. If you are interested in any of the placements advertised*, please email: Jane.Down@gardenofwales.org.uk
Trustee Recruitment
The Role
We are delighted to invite enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join the Board of Trustees at an exciting stage of the organisation’s development, including leading up to its 25th anniversary. We are looking to appoint up to four new Trustees.
Join the National Botanic Garden of Wales, a dynamic and impactful organisation committed to evidence-based science, sharing our knowledge of plants and inspiring people’s appreciation of flora, Welsh culture and heritage. As a Trustee you will play a pivotal role in steering the organisation and leading its growth and shaping its direction to be a trail blazer benefiting society through its inspiring estate, science discoveries and the ways it influences people to value plants and nature and enrich their lives.
Click here for more information.
If you have any questions relating to the role please contact Dr Lucy Sutherland by email at
Lucy.Sutherland@gardenofwales.org.uk. Applications to be sent to: Anne-Maria Nicholas – HR Manager at Anne-Maria.Nicholas@gardenofwales.org.uk.
Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday 30 April.
Facilities
Activities
Painting/staining garden furniture, small repairs, mending furniture, replacing light bulbs, path repairs, carpentry, and small mechanical repairs.
Days and Times
Monday to Friday
Experience
A good standard of DIY basic skills is required, but training and supervision are provided.
Activities
We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills and a flair for design to produce our monthly Employee Newsletter. Would suit someone with a journalistic background or wanting some experience.
Of the activities involved, the main one will be to visit the different departments at the Botanic Garden, interact with staff and obtain stories/news and photos. There are quite a few departments and these include Science & Conservation, Education, Marketing, Horticulture, Catering, Retail, Volunteering etc.
The Garden will provide a camera and facilities in-house to design and distribute the monthly electronic newsletter.
Days and Times
Although flexible on days (not weekends) it would involve 2 days a month on site.
Experience
Good IT skills, like meeting people, genuinely interested in what happens at the Botanic Garden, enjoy photography, being creative and the written word, then we would like to hear from you.
*Volunteer placements are open to UK residents only.