Garden Placement

April - September 2025

We are now looking to create our ‘’garden crew” for 2025 - a small group of regular volunteers who would like to experience a full growing season in the herb garden, and really get to know the garden and the practices we employ to tend to it, by attending our weekly gardening sessions on Saturday mornings.

This is a good opportunity for someone who wants to learn about and gain experience in organic gardening, herbs and herb cultivation; and/or gain experience of working in the community gardening / social enterprise / herbal sector.

About Hackney Herbal

Hackney Herbal is a social enterprise promoting wellbeing through herbs. We specialise in creative activities that connect and inspire people about the extensive uses of herbs.

We are based at a garden in Hackney Wick where we support local people and volunteers to learn about horticulture, herbs and natural crafts and where we grow herbs. We run regular community courses, weekly nature-based sessions, volunteering and social activities that support people to develop new skills, make friends and improve their physical and mental health. Our key outcomes follow the themes of health, education and community resilience. 

A core focus of our work since the beginning has been ensuring our work is accessible and freely available to people in our local community. As a social enterprise we use all the profits generated from ticketed workshops, privately booked herbal events and herbal tea sales to fund free nature based activities connecting people and herbs in Hackney. 

Garden Placement Details

  • The garden placement will run from April to September 2025

  • Gardening sessions take place weekly on Saturdays, from 10am to 1pm at our garden in Hackney Wick - 1 Trowbridge Gardens, 1 Trowbridge Road, E9 5LD.

  • A commitment of attending at least 2 - 3 sessions a month is expected.

  • This is an unpaid volunteer role, but we are able to cover travel expenses if needed.

  • This placement is open to adults aged 18 and above

Commitment

  • Attending at least 2-3 gardening sessions a month;

  • Be available for a Garden Placement induction on Saturday, April 5th;

  • A willingness to work outside in different weather conditions.

Key benefits

  • Opportunity to develop skills and gain experience in herb growing and organic gardening;

  • Training opportunities both as part of the sessions as well as access to other sessions Hackney Herbal runs;

  • A chance to spend time in nature and connect with others with similar interests;

  • A chance to be part of a friendly, supportive and caring community;

  • Access to other opportunities through the Hackney Herbal network.


How to apply

Please fill in and submit the form below by 12 noon on February 24th.

If you have any problems with applying, need any further assistance, or prefer to apply by post or in a different format, please just ask us. Send an email to Camila on camila@hackneyherbal.com It’s much easier for us to get back to you on email but you can also call us on 020 8986 3389. We are often out and about so leave us a message on the answer phone with your details and we will call you back. We are happy to help you!

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal phone interview on the week starting on March 3rd.

Quotes from last year's garden crew:

‘The herb garden is an amazing place and it was a great opportunity to join for the season’s volunteering work. Very comfortable place and nice people.’

‘I have found the garden a VERY necessary space for my life in London. Going weekly has been really important for my mental and physical wellbeing and the community is amazing as well.’

Is this opportunity not right for you?

If the level of commitment in this role is more than what you’re looking for, you can come and volunteer on a more ad-hoc basis. Just sign up to attend a volunteer induction and then you can come and volunteer whenever it suits you.

Here are other ways to get involved (please click the links for more info):