Volunteer with Wayward Plants
Volunteers play an essential role in helping Wayward Plants rescue and redistribute plants, trees and landscape materials to community groups and schools across London.
Volunteering with our Reuse Initiative at RHS Shows offers a unique opportunity to work behind the scenes at some of the UK's most celebrated gardening events. We're also growing our Reuse Centre Response Team, alongside relaxed drop-in gardening sessions and ambitious community builds at Cultivate Colindale.
Whether you're looking to meet amazing people, learn new skills or put existing ones to good use, there are lots of ways to get involved. No previous experience is necessary, and you can volunteer as much or as little as you like.
Ways to Volunteer
Behind the Scenes at RHS Shows
As the Official Reuse Partner of the RHS, Wayward Plants offers unique opportunities to volunteer behind the scenes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. Volunteers help rescue thousands of plants, trees and valuable landscape materials during the build-up and breakdown of the shows, bringing them back to our Reuse Centre for redistribution to community groups and schools.
Throughout the year, Wayward Plants receives donations of plants, trees and landscape materials, often at short notice. Volunteers help collect donations, unload and sort plants, identify and catalogue species, and prepare plants and materials for redistribution to community groups and schools. We're looking to build a pool of volunteers who can respond quickly when unexpected donations come in, sometimes at a moment's notice.
Wayward Plants Response Team
Drop-in Sessions at Cultivate Colindale
Wayward Plants, together with our partner Energy Garden, runs weekly sessions caring for Cultivate Colindale, including plants at the Reuse Centre. Activities include gardening, planting, composting, wildlife habitat care and propagation, with opportunities to learn new skills. Come along as often as you like, with no commitment to attend every week.
Wednesdays: 10am–1pm
Fridays: 1pm–4pm
Community Builds and Special Projects
The Wayward Plants Reuse Centre at Cultivate Colindale is an ever-evolving space, and we organise one-off projects where volunteers can help shape and develop the site, from building new structures and creative installations to ambitious planting projects and biodiversity initiatives. We also organise special projects at other locations across London, including major plant rescues and public adoption events. No previous experience is necessary, and there are opportunities to contribute a range of skills.