At Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, no two volunteering days are the same. Here’s what Kirsten Scott had to say about her time as a volunteer.

I spent a few days as a volunteer with Chiswick House & Gardens and I am not surprised that the Trust now has over 200 volunteers on their books.

On my first morning, I started in the Kitchen Garden where I received a friendly introduction to the gardening team and the other volunteers. A few of us were tasked with constructing some bean supports. Minutes later, I found myself with a saw in hand and tying branches into a wig-wam structure. I worked closely with a couple of other women who were volunteering and thoroughly enjoyed the sense of achievement that came with finishing the task. My new team said that, for them, volunteering was all about socialising with like-minded people. They all had their own gardens but loved the ease with which tasks could be completed at Chiswick House & Gardens where many pairs of hands get jobs done faster.

You can be as physically involved as you want to be as there’s always a range of tasks for volunteers to choose from. And throughout the morning, I felt incredibly well-supported. There were always experienced staff members on hand to guide you.

It’s clear that the Trust really values their volunteers. They work hard to make sure they are happy in their role. The most obvious manifestation of this is the variety of free biscuits on offer for volunteers!

On the second day I carried out a range of tasks in the Conservatory Shop. I welcomed visitors into the space and completed transactions on the till. My sales techniques were put to the test, and I had to learn on the job! Each volunteer I met had similar reasons for participating, whether that be to give back to their local community or to give themselves a sense of achievement. My fellow volunteers and the Trust staff were willing to take the time to show me the ropes and no question was too daft.

At Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, there’s a volunteering opportunity for everyone. Whether your strengths lie in gardening, communications, sales, or none of the above, you’ll find a role at the site.

Volunteering at Chiswick House & Gardens Trust

Find out more information about volunteering here.

Or you could take part in The Big Help Out on 8 May, a national initiative marking His Majesty the King’s Coronation, to raise awareness of volunteering and provide opportunities for people to make a difference in their local community. Sign up here.