Become a Volunteer
The care, restoration and future of the The Italian Garden depends on our team of volunteers. The current team was established in 2020 and has seen the development of the garden, clearing many areas, uncovering new finds and now focusing on specific areas for replanting.
Our volunteers are provided with all necessary equipment, as well as lunch and refreshments, and are actively involved in developing the plans for the garden. If you are interested in joining our friendly and supportive team then there are many ways you can volunteer. To chat about how the opportunities could meet your interests or if you would like more information, please contact Jan Yeates, Volunteer Coordinator, using the link below.
Tour Guide
Have limited time, love meeting new people and telling stories? Then this volunteer role might be for you. You will be escorting and engaging with small groups of visitors on pre-booked garden tours, sharing the history of the garden and its owner and architect, its design and planting, and our restoration plans. Tours take approximately 2 hours and run from March to September on days our guides are available. Full training and support is provided.
Gardener
Love gardening and caring for plants? Then this role might be for you. With 4.5 acres of garden to maintain, a mix of planted and ‘wild’ areas, there are always plenty of tasks from weeding newly planted borders, tidying paths and regular plant care to heavier clearance projects. We work to an overall plan so you will be guided on where to work and the tasks to be undertaken. Current working days are Mondays and Fridays with ad hoc Saturday events. Frequency of work and arrival/departure time is based around each volunteer’s availability.
Handyman
Keen to work in the garden, not really interested in plant maintenance but still appreciate a challenge or learning new skills? Then this role might be for you. A project to repair the 600+ yards of limestone paths has recently received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and we are actively seeking volunteers to help with this task. Under the expert guidance of a heritage stonemason, you will be lifting and relaying the areas of broken stone paving. Previous projects have included rebuilding the 111 ft pergola, building a tool storage shed and making wooden display tables for our new plant nursery.
Plant Nursery
Enjoy cultivating and propagating plants or interested in learning? Then nursery assistant might be the role for you. With such vast areas to plant, we are keen to grow as many of our own plants as possible. Support our volunteer nursery manager in caring for the nursery stock or through your expertise in propagating plants to add to the diversity of the garden’s planting.
Biodiversity Survey
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Devon Biodiversity Records Centre to assess species biodiversity in the garden through surveys, recording and monitoring activities, also thanks to National Lottery funding. If you are interested in being trained to survey and identify wildlife species, then this could be the role for you. We are looking for a small team to carry out these activities, and assist with recording events open to visitors such as butterfly transects, moth trapping and bat walks.
“The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives”
