Garden and Parklands Volunteer

What’s involved? 

• Helping the team with the general upkeep of the garden by supporting the garden team with: - tidying up, dead-heading, weeding and caring for borders - looking after trees, shrubs and plants - propagating and nursery work - grass cutting 
• Maintaining high presentation standards and good plant health.  
• Presenting garden tours to our visitors. 
• Aiding with the supply of fresh cut flowers to the shop in the summer. 
• Aiding with our home-grown plant sales. 
• Looking after garden tools and equipment 
• Acting as a Garden Steward/Guide during the week & at weekends 
• Being a friendly face for visitors to the garden and answering any questions. 
• Helping out with the planned development of the garden by: - planting trees and shrubs and Flower displays - establishing borders and other garden features - clearing and pruning overgrown areas 
• Helping us deliver our commitment to sustainability 
• Responding to the changing needs of Dunster Castle  
• Supporting with health and safety and evacuation procedures when required, becoming familiar with and then following the National Trust’s Health and Safety Policy and Dunster Castle specific information at all times  
• Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines e.g Covid. 

This role will suit you if you are … 

• Enthusiastic about the great outdoors and enjoy some physical activity  
• Interested in learning about gardening or have skills you want to share/develop 
• Positive, friendly and approachable. 
• Enjoy talking to people and being part of a team.  
• Happy to volunteer outside – despite the weather! 
• Happy to learn from others and adapt your technique – the way you do it at home may not be the way we do it here and sometimes we need consistency throughout the gardens to reach our potential!