“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” ― Rabindranath Tagore
Community garden volunteering offers a unique opportunity to contribute to both the environment and your local neighbourhood. These shared green spaces not only beautify urban areas but also foster a sense of connection and collaboration among residents. Whether you’re planting vegetables, tending flowers, or maintaining common spaces, volunteering in a community garden can provide numerous benefits.
A Volunteer’s Perspective
Millie, a volunteer at The Meadows in North Shields, shares her experience:
‘I came to Meadow Well Connected to attend a yoga class and had a look around the gardens. I have always enjoyed gardening and thought I could help out. I am 92 years and have been volunteering here for 16 years.
Volunteering gets me out of the house and I really enjoy the company. It also makes me feel very happy and proud when I see the flowers that I have planted come up in spring.’
Connecting with Nature
One of the most immediate rewards of community garden volunteering is the chance to engage with nature. In urban areas, green spaces can be scarce. Resear from Friends of the Earth highlights the limited access to nature in parts of the UK. Community gardens provide welcoming, accessible spaces where people can enjoy nature while actively contributing to its upkeep.
Health and Wellbeing
Gardening is a great form of exercise. The physical activity involved in gardening—digging, planting, and weeding—provides health benefits, helping to improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and reduce stress. Studies show that spending time in nature can boost mood and mental health.
Environmental Impact
Beyond personal well-being, community garden volunteering also promotes environmental sustainability. By growing your own food or cultivating native plants, volunteers contribute to biodiversity, soil health and even food security. Community gardens often prioritise organic practices, reducing the reliance on harmful pesticides and fertilisers. This eco-conscious approach helps minimise a garden’s carbon footprint, fostering a more sustainable future.
Building Stronger Communities
Volunteering in a community garden also strengthens social bonds and provides opportunities to get together without the need to spend money. These projects bring people from diverse backgrounds together, creating opportunities for neighbours to connect and collaborate on a shared goal. Volunteering fosters a sense of pride in the space and encourages individuals to be more invested in their community. Being part of a community has added benefits in reducing social isolation and its negative impact on health.
Get Involved
Community garden volunteering can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity. It benefits the environment, enhances personal health and fosters a greater sense of community. Whether you are an experienced gardener or a beginner, there is always a place for you to get involved and make a difference.
Find out more about some of the amazing community gardens in North Tyneside where you can volunteer.
- Community Garden at the Hub – volunteer-led garden outside the healthcentre.
- Lovaine Community Garden – community garden with music and events
- The Meadows – large community garden with drop in gardening sessions.
- Whitley Bay Community Allotment and Orchard – regular drop in gardening sessions.
- YMCA community allotment – community space in North Shields.
- Cedarwood Trust – community garden with opportunities to get involved.
- Building Futures East – Women’s gardening group
- Whitley Bay Hub – community hub with garden.
- Green Allotments is a charity on a mission to create new allotment sites in England and Wales.
- Westmoor Community Garden – regular gardening sessions at the community centre.
- Justice Prince Community Garden – food growing and more.
- The Station Master’s Garden – children’s nature club and regular volunteering sessions.
- Secret Garden Club at Whitley Bay Young People’s Centre – outdoor activities for young people.
Start Your Own Project
If you have an idea for a new community garden, support is available.
- VODA’s Grow and Eat project supports individuals, community groups and schools in North Tyneside to grow their own food. It offers practical advice, seed-sowing workshops and small grants for eligible projects. The project also provides a guide to growing your own food, tailored sessions for organisations and a mailing list with updates on funding and events. By encouraging sustainable food growing, Grow and Eat helps people eat more fresh produce while building stronger communities. Find out more here.
- The Social Farms and Gardens Network provides a free Community Growing Resource Pack.
- VODA’s social action guide helps with setting up small community projects.
- For larger projects, VODA offers governance and funding advice, see more here.
Useful Links
- Social Farms and Gardens
- Oxford Real Farming Conference
- Permaculture Association
- National Allotment Society
- Land In Our Names
- The Royal Horticultural Society
- Garden Organic
- Garden Organic free course
