HELP!

Unless you have super powers, a willing team or regular lessons in the garden ; you may benefit from having some extra pairs of hands.

There are a few ways to get support from people external to the school environment.

Community Volunteers
Corporate Days
Donations
Open Days/ Working Parties/ Garden Parties

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

In order to get jobs completed, watering done and do some more of the fiddly aspects of the schoo garden, there is the option to enlist volunteers from the local community. It can be grandparents, local residents or someone with a passion for gardening that can share knowledge as well as support with an extra pair of hands.

They can become a volunteer that is DBS checked and work alongside an after school or lunchtime club or a volunteer that comes in out of school time. However we would also suggest they complete a DBS check (for volunteers this is normally free of charge!) Many schools will have volunteering policy.

You can advertise through

- local volunteering charities (eg Community Impact Bucks, U3A)

- school newsletters

- school PTA

- local allotment associations

- local community gardens

You will need to complete your own Health & Safety and Risk Assessments. Share a job role description or project brief for clarity and check the schools insurance element.

You can look for volunteers to satisfy different roles or perhaps a volunteer who is available at different times. You may have volunteers that are just happy to grow additional plants for you to have in your garden. Grow Together have a Propagating Pals scheme with local experts!

CORPORATE DAYS

Many local businesses look for opportunities for their staff teams to get involved with local good causes. Schools can offer ‘Low Skill’ work which aims to provide a choice of activities on the day where possible. This could happen in non term time or at weekends for ease. However it is good to book these in at the beginning of the year for both the schools administration as well as for local businesses.

The intention is for attendees/ volunteers to enjoy the day away from their main workplace, learn new skills (or build on their existing skills) and provide a team experience which benefits both the volunteers and the

school. Using their time to make a difference in the community.

Aspects to address are:

Main contact at the business and a secondary contact for communication
A project brief for the day (including, when, what, where, how many, clothing, food, aprking etc)
Site Visit
Health & Safety aspects
Tools
Resources - wood to make raised beds, compost, woodchip etc
Facilities - toilets, food, kettle etc
Photo consent
Rubbish/ clearance at end of day

There are local charities that may offer the service of connecting the school and local businesses you can approach for support.

DONATIONS

Schools don't have a massive budget to support school gardens, and in true sustainability 'reuse' mode, we advise you to appeal for donations from local residents or families.

Compost/ Soil - local councils often have locally produced soil from garden waste they can donate some bags to school gardens
Tools - why not ask on local Facebook groups, or free sites like Gumtree or OLIO for unwanted or unused tools.
Local businesses can often support through donating goods rather than money.

Don't be afraid to approach businesses direct, put a request in local social media or ask other garden based projects if they know of any cost effective sources.

OPEN DAYS, WORKING/ GARDEN PARTIES

Holding open days or garden parties are great ways to get parents involved in the garden. At particular times of the year when the garden may need more work this can be a great way to boost moral as well as investment from families or carers for a few hours.

OPEN DAYS means your students can give tours, show what they have been working on and get the attendess involved in a few tasks needing attention.

GARDEN PARTIES involve inviting local community members, councillors, aprents. The students can cook cakes or food and you can have a plant sale to raise funds for the garden costs.

WORKING PARTIES are great to attack larger jobs, like ground clearance, preparing the garden for winter or harvesting after the summer holidays. It can also involve families and siblings of those that attend the school