Location

• Tue 19 Nov 2024, 10:00am-4:00pm

1 position available

Wheelchair accessible

Collect and Set Saplings from Our Majestic King Oak Tree. Celebrating Fairhaven’s 50th Anniversary with a Special Gift to Our Community

In celebration of Fairhaven's 50th Anniversary, we are thrilled to announce a special initiative: we will be donating saplings from our historic King Oak Tree to local community projects and members. This is our way of sharing the legacy of one of our most cherished trees with the people who have supported us over the years.

Why This Matters

The King Oak, a symbol of strength and endurance, has been a cornerstone of our garden for centuries. By collecting its saplings and sharing them with our community, we aim to spread its resilience and beauty far beyond our garden walls, fostering a deep connection between Fairhaven and those who support our mission.

What You'll Do

• Collecting Saplings: Join us in gathering saplings from the base of the King Oak, handling these young trees with care.
• Planting and Distribution: Help us plant these saplings in the garden and prepare others for donation to local schools, community projects, and Fairhaven members.
• Ongoing Care: Work alongside our team to ensure the saplings are nurtured and thrive in their new homes.

A Special 50th Anniversary Gift

As part of our 50th-anniversary celebration, we will be gifting King Oak saplings to community groups and individual members, ensuring that this living piece of Fairhaven can grow and inspire in new spaces. Whether in a community park, a schoolyard, or a personal garden, the King Oak’s legacy will continue to flourish and inspire future generations.

Get Involved

Volunteering in this project means becoming part of a meaningful tradition—one that not only preserves our gardens but also extends their beauty into the wider community. Be a part of Fairhaven's 50-year legacy and help us plant the seeds of the future.

Our ideal volunteer at Fairhaven is someone with a passion for nature and a desire to make a difference, whether they have gardening experience or are just enthusiastic about lending a hand. No specific skills are required—just a willingness to learn, get involved, and share in our mission to maintain and enhance our beautiful garden.

What We Value:

• Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude: A love for the outdoors and a can-do spirit.
• Team Player: Enjoy working with others and contributing to a common goal.
• Curiosity and Willingness to Learn: Eager to pick up new skills, whether in planting, weeding, or garden maintenance.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Learn New Skills: Gain hands-on experience in gardening and conservation.
• Connect with Nature: Spend time in the peaceful, natural surroundings of Fairhaven.
• Build Community: Be part of a supportive and welcoming group of like-minded people, all working toward a shared mission.

Whether you're experienced or new to gardening, your enthusiasm is what truly matters to us! Come help us preserve Fairhaven's beauty and grow our community.

The Impact of This Role

By volunteering at Fairhaven, you'll play a key role in helping us preserve the beauty and heritage of our garden, particularly in maintaining our prized collection of plants, including the largest candelabra primula display in the UK. Volunteers enable us to keep our gardens thriving, even with our limited resources, ensuring that visitors can enjoy these peaceful and well-maintained spaces year-round.

Why Your Contribution Matters:

• Supporting Conservation: Your work helps maintain rare plant species and the overall health of the garden.
• Creating a Welcoming Space: By assisting with upkeep, you're making Fairhaven more enjoyable and accessible to everyone who visits.
• Extending Our Mission: As a small charity, we rely heavily on volunteers to continue offering this natural sanctuary to the public.

The Fulfillment You Can Expect:

As a volunteer, you’ll see the immediate results of your efforts—a well-tended garden, thriving plants, and a space that brings joy to visitors. Whether planting new saplings or simply tidying a pathway, your contributions make a tangible difference, helping us nurture both the garden and the community. In return, you'll gain the rewarding experience of knowing you're part of something larger, preserving a natural treasure for generations to come.

To ensure a comfortable and productive day volunteering at Fairhaven, we recommend bringing the following:

• Clothing: Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Sturdy shoes or boots with good grip are essential for outdoor work.
• Personal Equipment (Optional): If you prefer, you can bring your own gardening gloves or tools, though we’ll provide all necessary equipment.
• Food & Water: Pack a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day. For longer shifts (over 6 hours), we provide light refreshments and lunch.

Don’t forget sunscreen or a hat for sunny days, and waterproof gear for rainy weather!

Facilities for Volunteers

At Fairhaven, we aim to make your volunteering experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Here's an overview of the facilities available to you during your time with us:

• Toilets: Accessible toilet facilities are available on-site for all volunteers.
• Drinking Water: Fresh water is available, so be sure to bring your own water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.
• For shifts over 6 hours, we will provide light refreshments and lunch from our volunteer menu, including options such as jacket potatoes, soup, paninis, and more, all prepared fresh in our on-site café.

  If you're volunteering for a shorter period, feel free to bring your own snacks or packed lunch. We want to ensure you're fueled and ready for your time in the garden!

• Break Area: A designated area for breaks where you can relax and enjoy a short rest.
• Parking: Free parking is available on-site for all volunteers.
• Equipment: We will provide gardening tools and gloves, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

We strive to make your volunteering experience as convenient as possible, so if you have any additional requirements, please don't hesitate to reach out.

5. Group Size: Suitable for groups of various sizes. We maintain a ratio of up to five volunteers per one qualified approved Fairhaven gardener to ensure effective supervision and guidance.

6. What to Bring: Comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes. Personal gardening gloves or tools if preferred (though we provide these if needed).

7. Additional Information: A Meal & Refreshments will be provided from our Volunteer menu for person/groups that commit to a minimum of five hours of work. As a charity with limited resources, your volunteer efforts are crucial for maintaining our gardens and supporting our mission.

Access for All at Fairhaven

At Fairhaven, we are committed to making our garden and facilities accessible to everyone. Our Access for All project is an ongoing effort to ensure that every visitor, regardless of ability, can enjoy our beautiful spaces.

If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact Floyd Nundy at 01603 270449 to discuss your individual requirements. We're here to make your visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible!

Additional Details

• Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome.
• A supportive team environment is guaranteed—feel free to ask questions and learn along the way!
• For further information or to discuss individual requirements, please contact Floyd Nundy at 01603 270449.

Join us in this meaningful project and help Fairhaven’s legacy grow for the next 50 years!