Volunteering

The Farm is an independent, voluntary, community project seeking to meet the needs of local people through a wide range of social, environmental, educational, recreational and economic activities. We could not continue this work without the generosity of volunteers, devoting their time to make the Farm the organisation it is.

You can volunteer your time from just a one-off at an event or through a regular weekly session, volunteer by yourself or as a family. We offer a wide range of volunteer roles to suit all interests.

Lloyds TSB volunteer team

On this page you will find information about:

Becoming a volunteer
Supported volunteering
Community Action Group (CAG)
Volunteer information downloads
Volunteer rights
Expenses
Volunteer responsibilites
Other volunteering opportunites in Bristol

Becoming a volunteer

Who to contact?
The Community Development and Volunteer Coordinator Jules Allan has recently started in her new role of managing a wide range of community development projects at the farm. She is also developing and managing the volunteers scheme.

What happens next?
You need to complete a volunteer application form - please either hand the completed form in at the reception desk, send the form by post (Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, Bristol, BS3 4EA), or email the form to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jules will process your form and aim to contact you within 2 weeks of your complete form being received. If there are suitable volunteering opportunities available you will be invited to the Farm to have a chat with Jules or one of the project managers to meet each other and discuss potential volunteer opportunities.

Unfortunately the Farm does not always have suitable opportunities available. If this is the case Jules may be able to provide you with information of other voluntary organisations in the local area.

Supported volunteering

Nicky Bacon manages the supported volunteers' project and works with volunteers who have specific support needs or people who have been referred from health and social care agencies. Please contact Nicky (Tues-Wed) to find out what the current opportunities are on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0117 963 3252.

Community Action Group (CAG)

Lloyds TSB volunteers in the gardens CAG is the new group for all volunteers and will meet once a month at the Farm on a Saturday, from 10am to 1pm. It is an opportunity to bring all our many prospective, new and existing volunteers together to get to know each other. It is also ideal for people who are busy in the week but would like to get involved in volunteering. At each meeting we will work on a voluntary activity, do some training, learn a skill, have a feedback forum and, most importantly, find ways of letting us know what kinds of volunteering opportunities you would like to get involved in.

Meetings - generally second Saturday of the month, but check the website, Twitter or Facebook for details.
Experience level - none other than interest and willingness to get involved in various volunteer activities at your own pace.
Commitment - 3 hours per month

Go to the CAG page for more information.

Volunteer information downloads

Volunteer Newsletter Spring 2013, (pdf 799KB) - the latest issue of our new monthly newsletter which includes volunteer opportunities.
Previous issues are available in our archive.

Volunteer Guide (pdf 531KB) - all you need to know about volunteering with us.

Application form (Word doc 320KB) - if you would like to become a volunteer on the Farm, the first step is to complete this form They are also available from reception.

Community Action Group flyer (pdf 510KB)

Useful handouts (pdf 133KB) on "why should I volunteer?" and info on other community volunteer projects written by Rosie, our Community Development Volunteer

Volunteer rights

craig Volunteers at the Farm have a right to:

A comprehensive induction session
Know what they are expected to do
Know who is responsible for their supervision
Be given appropriate training, this may simply be being shown what to do
Be part of a team and be included in the decision -making processes of the Farm
Know who they can talk to if there are problems or difficulties
Be properly valued and thanked
Receive regular and constructive feedback
Have safe working conditions
Be provided with appropriate equipment
Have adequate insurance cover
Be taken seriously by work colleagues
To join a trade union relevant to the work in which they are involved, if they so wish.
Be consulted

Expenses

Volunteers cannot be paid for voluntary activity. However, all volunteers are entitled to have their travel expenses paid up to a value of £4.00. Volunteers must provide receipts in order to claim their expenses.

If working for over 4 hours a day, lunch vouchers up to the value of £3.95 are authorised by your volunteer coordinator and are available from reception.

A 10% discount on courses will be available to volunteers after a commitment of 6 hours in a 6 month block. Vouchers will be issued at volunteering sessions.

Volunteer responsibilites

A volunteer has the responsibility to:

Be punctual and notify staff as soon as possible if they are unable to attend a session.
Help staff set up at the start and tidy up at the end of sessions.
Help to provide a safe environment.
Work as part of a team and under the supervision of the practitioners.
Help ensure that equipment is maintained and that anything damaged or dangerous is removed and reported.
To work within the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and the Vulnerable Adults Policy, including reporting procedures (available in hardcopies when you attend the farm to volunteer).