Perennial depends on our network of dedicated volunteers – who are an essential part of what we do and the charity simply could not function without people like you.

Our volunteers contribute to our work in a variety of ways, with commitment ranging from one-off events and fundraising, through to ongoing support. Volunteering can make you feel part of something bigger than yourself, part of a community and gives you a real sense of achievement.

As a Perennial volunteer, you will be part of a passionate team of like-minded individuals who want to help people in need. There are many ways you can give your time to support Perennial. 

There are various activities that you can get involved with, including helping at one of the gardens, helping out in the office and/or warehouse and supporting us at an event.

“I feel privileged to be invited to sell on the trade stands for both Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows and in doing so help raise awareness and much needed funds to help keep this wonderful charity afloat. We meet so many fine people from all different walks of life. We have fun while we sell and we get to look around the show either before or after our shift ends, what’s not to love?  The Perennial staff are all lovely, very kind and always willing to give you their help and advice. Volunteers are the backbone of most charities and we at Perennial should be proud in the knowledge that any little thing we do to help is so much appreciated and remember… every little helps!” Val (Trade Show Volunteer)

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us on the details below.

Telephone: 0800 093 8792

Email: volunteer@perennial.org.uk


Volunteer at our Wonderful Gardens

York Gate , Leeds

Fullers Mill, Bury St Edmunds

The Laskett, Herefordshire

 

 

Volunteering at our gardens

Volunteers also help run all of the Perennial gardens by offering their time, passion, support and skills. Our garden volunteers enhance the work of our small garden teams by helping to maintain the gardens, welcoming visitors and promoting the work of Perennial. It is a brilliant place to share your existing horticultural knowledge or learn new skills.

The Laskett – Laskett Lane, Much Birch, Herefordshire, HR2 8HZ

In 2015 Sir Roy Strong kindly gifted his home and garden to Perennial. Since then we have been working hard for The Laskett, a once private and hidden gem, to be a fantastic visitor attraction. We can only make this happen through the brilliant support of our volunteers. Click here to find out more.

Fullers Mill – West Stow, Bury Saint Edmunds IP28 6HD

The garden was created by the late Bernard Tickner MBE who spent over 50 years creating the garden you see today. In 2013, the garden was gifted to Perennial, for its long-term preservation. Head Gardener Annie Dellbridge and her team of gardeners and volunteers now maintain the garden for the enjoyment of visitors. Click here to find out more.

York Gate – Back Church Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS16 8DW

York Gate was created by the Spencer family between 1951 and 1994. Frederick and Sybil Spencer along with their son Robin, laid out and nurtured what is now one of the finest small gardens in the country.  In accordance with Sybil’s wishes, on her death in 1994, York Gate was given to Perennial. Click here to find out more.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us on the details below.

Telephone: 0800 093 8792

Email: volunteer@perennial.org.uk


Volunteer at our Wonderful Gardens

York Gate , Leeds

Fullers Mill, Bury St Edmunds

The Laskett, Herefordshire

 

 

Current Vacancies

We have some exciting opportunities this year to volunteer at:

  • 2024 RHS Malvern Flower Show | May 9 – May 12
  • The Cloakroom at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show | May 21 – May 25
  • The ‘Shop n Drop’ at the 2024 RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival| July 2 – July 7

If you’re interested in either of these opportunities, please email volunteer@perennial.org.uk. We still have a few shifts available across the entire week at both but places are going fast so please contact us as soon as possible. Shifts are four hours and you will be responsible for speaking with visitors and taking their coats, shopping and other belongings like picnics.  You are welcome to visit the shows both before and after your shift which is a real bonus.

We also currently have a part time Fundraising Volunteer role based in Leatherhead. Find out more and apply here.

 

We always need volunteers to help out at flower shows, place collection boxes in local garden centres and nurseries and sell Christmas cards at pop-up charity shops.

Volunteering has many benefits, not just to Perennial, but to our volunteers too. These include helping those who are less fortunate, feeling valued and part of a team and having a chance to spend quality time away from your work and/or busy lifestyle. 

Lizzie Powles a volunteer at Fullers Mill comments – ‘A big thank you to everyone at Fullers Mill Garden for making me so welcome in my first year of volunteering in the Bothy Tearoom and now in the garden too.   Since recently moving to Suffolk I have found that volunteering has helped me settle into the area and make a lot of wonderful new friends’ 

Corporate

Employee volunteering is a great way for a company to fulfil its Corporate Social Responsibility, while making a valuable contribution to our work and offering employees a rewarding experience.

Groups of corporate volunteers are particularly useful to us as they can offer skilled and efficient team members who we can trust to undertake projects effectively. Volunteering gives your employees the opportunity to break free from their normal work routine, boosting morale and in turn enabling your company to improve employee retention.

Join Us!

At Perennial we’re lucky enough to work across all sectors of horticulture and get involved with a wide range of activities, from working in our own gardens to talking to tree surgeons at forestry shows to selling gifts and cards or being on show gardens at the Chelsea Flower showAll these activities help to raise awareness and funds which ultimately results in building better futures for people in horticulture, and their families. But we can’t do this without our wonderful volunteers, and we desperately need your help too!  

“Working voluntarily for Perennial fulfilled a need in me to do something philanthropic, not driven by commercial interests, that benefitted the industry I love and have worked in since I was a boy. But in doing so my career has undoubtedly benefitted too – volunteering has opened doors for me which have led to new work and has enabled me to become known for something beyond my abilities as a horticulturist. My advice would simply be to try it – you never know where it may lead.” George Kestell is a lecturer in horticulture at Duchy College.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us on the details below.

Telephone: 0800 093 8792

Email: volunteer@perennial.org.uk


Volunteer at our Wonderful Gardens

York Gate , Leeds

Fullers Mill, Bury St Edmunds

The Laskett, Herefordshire

 

 

Contact Us

Interested in volunteering for Perennial?

Complete this short form to register your interest.

Volunteering - Register Your Interest

If you would like to volunteer for Perennial, or find out more, complete this short form.

  • Which areas of volunteering are you interested in? Please tick all that apply.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us on the details below.

Telephone: 0800 093 8792

Email: volunteer@perennial.org.uk


Volunteer at our Wonderful Gardens

York Gate , Leeds

Fullers Mill, Bury St Edmunds

The Laskett, Herefordshire