A community farm and wildlife initiative is looking for helpers to keep the site in tip-top condition.
Knowetop charity has over 15 acres of land in Castlehill which is being transformed into a nature haven for both the local community and wildlife – and they are looking for local people to lend a hand.
Claire Travis, the charity’s Horticultural and Wildlife supervisor, said there is always plenty to do.
“We’re looking for people who will come and just help with practical tasks on-site. There’s usually a massive, long list of jobs! There’s something that would suit everyone.”
Some of the jobs they need help with include sorting out cardboard to make no-dig beds, weeding pots, sewing seeds, transplanting, watering, litter picking and cutting vegetation.
Claire explained: “We need to cut back the vegetation from the path edges because when it’s wet, it falls over the path and then anyone walking there gets really wet!
“We need to give the plants a good soak on Thursdays, because we’re not here over the weekends. It’s all the practical stuff.
“And when we have the produce ready, we need people who can come and volunteer with us to pick it – they can take stuff away as a thank you for coming along.
Something for Everyone
“The idea is that people come and do what they fancy doing. They don’t have to do the same job for the entire time they’re here.”
Claire is looking for volunteers who can help on Tuesdays from 1pm – 4pm or Thursdays 10am – 1pm.
She said not to be put off if you have mobility challenges as there are plenty of jobs that can be done sitting down and she is happy to arrange a visit first so people can get an idea of what the site is like.
“It would be great to have someone who might want to come and do some of the social media stuff. Because unless I remember to take the photographs, and take them on sunny days, and capture the interesting things … it gets forgotten.”
The charity has waterproofs and steel toe boots which volunteers can use on site, so there’s no need to worry about getting a prized pair of trainers dirty.
Green Space and Healing Place
As well as volunteering opportunities the charity runs adult well-being groups to encourage people to spend time outdoors.
“It’s about reducing isolation, getting people outdoors, into a green space,” Claire explained.
“People who might not have the confidence to go and explore for themselves, or don’t have the mobility, or maybe they just want to come and sit and chat.
“The idea is people are exposed to the benefits of being outdoors, in a green space and in nature. It’s a way of helping people deal with other things that might be going on.”
Any adult can come along to the sessions which are on Mondays and Thursdays 11am – 3pm.
Claire urged locals to come and give it a try.
“You don’t need to stay for the whole session, if you need to leave for a school pickup, it’s fine! And you won’t lose your place if you don’t come for a week, just come as and when it suits you.”
