Volunteer opportunities (Adult) - support a children's allotment

We welcome people who would like to volunteer. You can come regularly alone or with a friend or one off as part of a work team for a volunteering session perhaps using paid volunteering days your organisation may offer. We are based in Hitchin (Old Hale Way). It is very relaxed, we want our volunteers to enjoy the experience. No special experience is necessary but you should like gardening and it is, of course, largely outside. If you are experienced we can definitely use that. Why not get in touch and we can discuss what might work.

Our volunteers say they get a lot out of it. They say they enjoy the easy going approach, working with a nice group of people and there is a real sense of working to a shared goal with social benefits. Teams we have hosted in the past say they get more out of it than a more traditional awayday.

Hitchin Youth Allotment (HiYA) is a youth project where children grow fruit and vegetables, learn gardening skills and get involved in a really hands on way. They sow seeds, take cuttings, plant out, tend the plants, keep the plot in good shape, harvest, cook and eat the produce.

We aim to:

• encourage healthy eating and a healthy attitude to food
• connect young people with outdoors, the environment and with wider society
• build the children’s confidence and wellbeing
• we love supporting children with special educational needs.

HiYA runs on an entirely voluntary basis. This year we have over 280 children involved. The age range is 5 to 15. This year we are expanding. We are accredited as a RHS Five Star Children's Gardening Project, their top level of recognition.