Volunteer with us

Regular Volunteering

We have two options for volunteering on a monthly or weekly-basis (you can help out more regularly than that if you can!):

  • Volunteer at our community tree nursery and help with a range of tasks from potting trees to maintaining tools.

  • Join a local Tree Care Group and care for young trees in your local green space

One-off volunteering

A lot of our work is seasonal depending on the trees and what they need. Work that falls into this category includes:

  • Orchard/woodland maintenance

  • Mulching

  • Planting trees (Winter only)

All of our one-off volunteering events are advertised on Eventbrite so follow us to get notified of upcoming events.

Volunteer your skills

We benefit hugely from the skills of many different people who want to work with us: wood and metal workers; strategic planners; drivers; website designers; researchers; marketeers, fundraisers and more…

Whatever your passions and talents, please get in touch and let us know how you’d like to help.

Volunteer at the tree nursery

Volunteer at the Tree Nursery

Volunteering at the Tree Nursery helps us grow the next generation of trees for Hackney. Lots of different tasks are involved in keeping the Tree Nursery running and some are more tree-related than others though all are important! Tasks change throughout the year and can include potting, watering trees, washing and disinfecting pots, weeding, clearing space, pruning, propagation, mulching, turning compost, tools and site maintenance etc.

When?

Drop-in sessions are every Wednesday, Friday and the last Saturday of the month 10am - 3pm. No need to book!

New volunteers are encouraged to arrive at 10am to allow for introductions and briefing.

Do I need experience?

Don’t worry, you don’t need any prior experience, we’ll show you what to do. There’s also something for everyone at the Tree Nursery. Even if you’re not sure about what you can do, just come along to a session and say hello! You can take your time to explore the site and get involved in as much as you like.

Where?

You find us by entering the Hackney Marshes Centre carpark. If you’re arriving from Homerton Road, enter the carpark via the main gate and take the first right as the car park opens up to a wider area. Detailed directions and map here.

Accessibility

The tree nursery is mainly flat ground but is mostly grassy and uneven, which can be difficult for wheelchair users.  The only steps are to a portacabin which serves as our office, to our compost toilet and to our toolsheds.  The polytunnels are accessible and the Hackney Marshes Centre opposite is fully accessible though opening times vary. There is seating at various places around the tree nursery.

What shall I bring?

Wear boots or stout shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting grubby. We can supply gardening gloves or you can bring your own. Bring a packed lunch. Biscuits and tea provided.

Are children welcome?

Unfortunately, our volunteer sessions at the Tree Nursery are not suitable for children. We do not have volunteers trained to supervise children and parents cannot be aware of all of the risks such as sharp tools, beehives, a deep pond, nettles, thorns, holes dug by foxes, which are all on site.

We do, however, run family-friendly events at the Tree Nursery so keep an eye out on our Eventbrite.

Join a Tree Care Group

Join a local Tree Care Group

Tree Care Groups are coordinated through the use of WhatsApp. Details of watering and maintenance activities are posted to the group as and when they are planned. You can join a group by scanning the relevant QR code using the camera setting on your mobile phone (or click the button if you’re browser on your mobile device). This will automatically open up WhatsApp and you will see a prompt to “Join Group”.

Don’t forget to say hello and introduce yourself to the group!