Volunteer at Windmill Hill City Farm

About

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The City Farm was started by local volunteer residents, and today volunteers continue to make a valuable contribution to all areas of the farm.

The volunteering programme provides an initial induction, regular supervision and support, and training where appropriate to develop each volunteer’s skills base in their chosen areas. There are also regular volunteer meetings with the opportunity to socialise with fellow volunteers and discuss the City Farm’s development.

Why volunteer?
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Volunteering can be both challenging and rewarding and by sharing their time and experience, volunteers develop personally and build skills, making volunteering a win-win situation.

What do volunteers do?
Volunteers are on the City Farm everyday, as well as those working behind the scenes. Volunteers do lots in different areas of the City Farm including garden development and maintenance, harvesting, site maintenance and handy work, animal care, supporting adults with health and social care needs to volunteer, children and family sessions, café, fundraising, events, and corporate volunteering.

Gardening
There are wonderful and varied garden spaces here at Windmill Hill City Farm. They are open to the public all year round and a resource for therapeutic work and education with adults and children. People  who would like to volunteer in the community gardens are welcome to learn and share gardening skills to maintain and develop the gardens for everyone to enjoy, as well as growing and harvesting food for the café and farm shop.

Health and social care
There is a volunteering programme for adults with specific health and social care needs. The programme offers purpose, structure and meaningful work to people and help to develop life and work skills that aid recovery or personal development. 

Café
The café is a popular Bristol eating place where customers experience a warm and cosy atmosphere in the winter, or can sit outside in the summer and enjoy countryside surroundings in the heart of the city. Volunteers support the café to run smoothly by preparing food, maintaining the kitchens, and serving customers. Volunteering in the café is a valuable opportunity for people looking to develop their skills in a hospitality and customer service environment.

Volunteering with animals
Animals need mucking out, feeding and keeping comfortable all year round. Vacancies occasionally become available but there is a very high interest in volunteering with animals and advertise for specific volunteer roles when they arise.

Events
Windmill Hill City Farm organises a range of events for the local community. Events volunteers help to promote events and help out on the day. Roles include stewarding, running children’s activities, serving food, and selling produce on stalls. Volunteers are important to helping events be an enjoyable experience for visitors, as well as being good fun!

Community action call outs
Community action call outs are at various dates throughout the year and are for people to get involved in the City Farm’s volunteer community projects and events. These days are ideal for people looking for flexible volunteer opportunities or wanting to try out volunteering before committing longer term.

Corporate volunteer projects
Local organisations are invited to participate in corporate volunteering sessions at the City Farm. These usually run on Fridays between March and October for groups of up to 15 volunteers. Activities might include gardening and site preparation and provide much-needed support in the development and maintenance of the City Farm for the benefit of the local community.