There are several different ways you can help us keep Waimarama Community Gardens productive and beautiful…
Working bees are a regular, casual opportunity to join a group of people in various tasks around the Gardens. They are held in summer every Friday from 4pm – 6pm and winter every second Sunday from 2pm – 4pm, with a shared snack afterwards. There may be produce you can take home as well.
Work and learn sessions are an ideal way to build up your organic gardening knowledge. While helping us with regular, specific activities you will also learn heaps about the topics, plus be able to take stuff home with you too. Initial sessions are focused on propagation and composting. Click here to find out more.
Ongoing volunteering would suit those who are willing to make a more regular commitment. Rather than put a lot of information here, we need a chance to talk about what you have in mind and see how we can match it with what work is needed at the Gardens. It is best for us if you phone on 03 548 4575 or send an email waimaramacommunitygardens@gmail.com and leave a daytime contact number if possible.
Short term volunteering over a few weeks, help with one-off projects, or alternatively even one regular hour per week for a longer period, are all helpful to the Gardens. If you have more time available, then this too can be organised. Some tasks can even be done in your own time, at your place! These could include cooking for volunteer lunches using Gardens produce; also help with database management.
The most desirable qualities for a volunteer are:
- energy!
- being clear about what and how much you want to do
- reliability and commitment: turning up and doing what you volunteered to do
- listening to and following directions about keeping yourself and others safe.
In return, the Gardens can offer you:
- satisfaction from helping with a community asset
- gardening experience
- a beautiful and relaxing environment
- exercise and fresh air
- sometimes more tangible benefits are negotiable.
We look forward to hearing from you!
