We hold drop-in volunteer sessions every Wednesday and Saturday from 2pm to 4pm (or a little later depending on the weather and jobs) for people aged 14+. In these sessions we take care of the animals, look after the land and tend the vegetable garden. We love volunteering, but please be prepared to get a bit muddy and tired! The work can be quite physical and we only have a very small number of light tasks each week so we are looking for volunteers who are happy to get stuck in with jobs such as mucking out messy animals, digging ditches, building walls and fences, barrowing manure and moving animal feed sacks. Unfortunately our site is not suitable for people with mobility issues. The ground is uneven underfoot as well as steep and rocky in places, not to mention muddy sometimes too!
New volunteers welcome
We welcome new volunteers and have roles to suit all levels of experience for volunteers aged 14 and above. Our drop-in sessions are open to individuals, families and small groups. You do not need to have any previous experience and it does not have to be a long term commitment – it helps to know when you are coming but you are free to come just when you can. There is no need to book a place and you can start at any time of the year, just send us an email letting us know your name, phone number and what days you expect to be coming. For volunteers under the age of 18 please fill in our consent form and gain the permission of a parent or guardian. Please see our Junior volunteers page for more information about volunteering for under 18s.
What to expect
You can expect to join in with jobs such as planting and harvesting, composting, weeding, feeding the animals, cleaning out the ducks and chickens and scooping alpaca poo off the meadows. Training is given along the way and there are lots of opportunites to learn about permaculture principles, animal care and organic gardening.
The session starts at 2pm. Please come through the metal gate into the top meadow taking care to close the gate after you so our animals do not leave the field. If you do not see a session leader, please make your way down to the lower meadow or vegetable garden where we are most likely to be working.
What to bring
Please bring:
- Your own drinks and snacks
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Old clothes that can get dirty
- Raincoat in wet weather
- Suncream on sunny days
Gloves, tools and training are provided. We do have soap and water hand wash stations but we have no mains water, electricity or gas on the field so it is very important that you bring your own drinks. The ground is steep and rocky in places and can be muddy at times. Please do not wear sandals or flip-flops.
If you are interested
Send an email to info@hollyhagg.org.uk with your name, phone number and let us know what days you are planning to come along and join in.
Volunteering opportunities
Weekly drop-in sessions
Office away days
Volunteer placements
DoE and award schemes
Be a trek guide
Be an animal feeder
Junior volunteers
Useful resources
