Sandra Manning, a volunteer at Chiswick House & Gardens, shares how her time with us has brought her a renewed sense of joy, purpose, and community.

“I was in my mid 60s and decided that I quite fancied doing some volunteering. I had previously done a course in horticulture and garden design, and was looking for options for what I might be able to do when I retire. My obvious passion is gardening and horticulture. I thought, where can I go locally? I remembered visiting Chiswick House and Gardens during my RHS horticultural course, so I contacted you just to find out a little bit of information. I was not looking to do it immediately, perhaps a year down the line, but I got a very nice email straight back asking me to come and have a look around. Then it was, ‘We will see you on Tuesday.’ That was unexpected, but it is one of the best things I have ever done. My husband said, ‘You go out the door with a smile on your face and you come back with a smile on your face.’

You go out the door with a smile on your face and you come back with a smile on your face.

“I absolutely love it. I love gardening, and I am passionate about plants. For me it is the knowledge sharing. Some people at the Kitchen Garden are very knowledgeable. Even when you are on your knees planting or pruning, someone will ask, “Why are you doing that?” and it is a nice way to communicate the joys of gardening, the camaraderie is wonderful. The garden itself is stunning, and the produce we grow goes out as donations. I have learned about plants and vegetables I had not previously heard of. The staff gardeners are so generous with their knowledge and passion,  makes it all fun. It is lovely to meet up not just with the Kitchen Gardeners but with the rangers as well. The 10 o’clock tea break is a very good idea because we can all get together and share stories. 

Volunteering has made me more relaxed. I have quite a stressful job, and they say gardening is therapy. It truly is. It gives you a calming attitude and a nice perspective on life. You look up at the birds singing and wonder why people are walking around with headphones on when they could be listening to the birdsong. Being out with nature may sound like a cliché, but it is true. Being at one with nature is lovely. 

The camaraderie is wonderful… it is a lovely way to communicate the joys of gardening.

“I have definitely learned new skills. Staff gardeners have demonstrated how to use tools and I realised I had been doing things my own way for years. For example, edging shears for lawns. Then it was demonstrated a completely different way and I thought, wow, that is so much easier. Who knew? We are a no dig garden, and learning how that benefits the plants, the growing, and sustainability has had a huge impact.

Gardening is therapy. It gives you a calming attitude and a different perspective on life.

“The people are lovely. They are from all walks of life. You do not have to fit into any particular niche. Everyone is friendly and it is fun. You hear people’s stories and learn what they are doing. It shows how many skilful people we have on the volunteer team. It has opened up my world. If someone was considering joining, I would say sign up immediately. I would not have any hesitation.”