Friends of Wollaton Park (FoWP) offers a diverse range of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. From restoring the historic walled garden and maintaining the elegant formal gardens, to conservation tasks, litter picking, and preserving precious benches and memorials, there’s something for everyone. Even lending a hand with cleaning tasks in Wollaton Hall makes a significant difference!
Volunteering Opportunities
- Walled Garden (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
- Formal Garden (Wednesday Mornings)
- Hall and Park Tasks (Ad-hoc Fridays. Members only)
- Conservation Tasks (Selected Thursday, Friday and Saturday Mornings)
- Litter Picking (Last Saturday of the month)
We are happy to support the Duke of Edinburgh Award, see our FAQ for specific details.
See our Calendar for dates of specific volunteering sessions.
Friends of Wollaton Park does not accept liability for any accident, loss or damage to members or visitors during its advertised activities.
If physical tasks are not your thing, then perhaps support our committee to help coordinate activities.
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Friends of Wollaton Park. Their tireless efforts are crucial in supporting park staff. The Volunteer Spotlight is our way of celebrating the incredible contributions made by our growing team of volunteers.
An interview of Chris and Russ who raised over £2,300 for FoWP via their calendars.
Volunteering News
- Dead Hedging Refurbishment - Digby Wood's dead hedges, built in 2023/24, recently underwent refurbishment. Branches had settled, requiring topping up and repairs. Volunteers experimented…
- Inner Couryard - A team of FoWP members embraced a unique opportunity to explore a part of the hall that's typically off-limits to…
- Fifty Trees Planted - A dedicated team of 12 volunteers prepared the ground for a tree nursery and planted fifty saplings.
- From Small Beginnnings… - Our Saturday Conservation task volunteers started clearing the overgrown area between the Walled Garden's inner and outer walls to turn…
- Old Rose Garden - The old rose garden has undergone a significant transformation. The Box hedging, which had been decimated by box tree caterpillars,…
The Benefits of Volunteering
- It’s good for your health. Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost self-esteem. It can also help you stay physically active, especially if you volunteer for activities that involve physical work.
- It gives you a sense of purpose. When you volunteer, you are making a difference in the lives of others. This can give you a sense of purpose and satisfaction that you may not get from other activities.
- It helps you meet new people. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share your interests. This can lead to new friendships, professional connections, and even romantic relationships.
- It teaches you new skills. Volunteering can help you learn new skills that you can use in your personal or professional life.
- It strengthens our community. Volunteering helps to build a stronger community by connecting people and providing resources to those in need. When you volunteer, you are helping to make your community a better place for everyone.
Other Volunteering Opportunities
Organised by other groups in association with Friends of Wollaton Park.
- Sensory Garden (Saturdays in the growing season)
- Park Run or Walk (Saturdays)
- Botanical Garden
- Industrial Museum
- Wollaton Hall Museum
Frequently Asked Questions…
We are happy to support the DofE Award volunteering section. Please contact us to register an interest.
- To fulfil your monthly Duke of Edinburgh volunteering commitment with the Friends of Wollaton Park, you’ll need to combine your time with us with another activity, as we don’t have sessions every week. The Wollaton Park parkrun is one option you might consider.
- Volunteers must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at the first session.
- You must register with us in advance of the first session, providing emergency contact details and any medical conditions we need to be aware of.
- We’re happy to sign your log books, but you’ll need to keep your own records of sessions attended.
- The safety of our young DoE volunteers is our top priority. We require a DBS cleared task leader to supervise all sessions.
See our Volunteering page, to see the latest volunteering opportunities.
See the Walled Garden information page for details.
Volunteering provides many benefits, including the opportunity to connect with nature, meet new people, and develop new skills. It is also a great way to give back to the community and contribute to the preservation of the park’s natural resources.