WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Gardens Illustrated|October 2024
Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer
ROSANNA MORRIS
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?

It's a Saturday morning in the summer of 2000. I'm standing in a huge patch of nettles in a forgotten area in the corner of a public park, holding the 'stupid end' of a long measuring tape. I'm not there entirely of my own volition, but there, nonetheless. Just then, a boy, perhaps 11 years old, comes up and asks what I am doing. I can see a second boy hanging back.

"I'm measuring," I reply.

He looks at me, as I stand still, holding the end of the tape. We're both silent for a moment.

"Why?" he asks, not unreasonably.

"Well, we're going to make a garden here, and before we can do that, we need a plan showing where everything is." I can see that he's not sure about this. This time, warily: "Are you from the council?" "No, we're not from the council." He brightens again. "Can I help, then?" Five minutes later, Paul and his friend are busy holding tapes, shouting out measurements, and running back and forth with poles, putting my initial lack of enthusiasm to shame.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2024-Ausgabe von Gardens Illustrated.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2024-Ausgabe von Gardens Illustrated.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS GARDENS ILLUSTRATEDAlle anzeigen
WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Gardens Illustrated

WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?

Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 2024
EARTHLY CONCERN
Gardens Illustrated

EARTHLY CONCERN

Weeds, slugs, birds and mice - all are welcome on Birch Farm in Devon, where Joshua Sparkes seeks to respect the local ecosystem and mimic nature in his innovative approach to growing

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2024
Gardening is good for you
Gardens Illustrated

Gardening is good for you

In the first of his new factual column on the benefits of gardening, Dr Richard Claxton uncovers all the evidence-based ways it can help your physical health.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2024
TANGERINE DREAM
Gardens Illustrated

TANGERINE DREAM

On the edge of one of London's busiest roundabouts, Nigel Dunnett has created exciting combinations of drought-tolerant plants for a roof garden that is as unexpected as it is joyful

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2024
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
Gardens Illustrated

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 2024
Waste not, nice plot
Gardens Illustrated

Waste not, nice plot

Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2024
One for all
Gardens Illustrated

One for all

A new community garden designed by Sarah Price around an old library turned arts centre in southeast London is a treasured space for local residents and garden lovers alike

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2024
Meet our horticultural HEROES
Gardens Illustrated

Meet our horticultural HEROES

Discover the stories of the extraordinary garden champions who are making a difference to places, people, plants and the planet

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
October 2024
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
Gardens Illustrated

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE

In the culinary world, chefs and food writers sometimes closely guard their recipes, says Nigel Slater. Among gardeners, however, there is a refreshing spirit of generosity

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 2024
Autumn at Sissinghurst
Gardens Illustrated

Autumn at Sissinghurst

As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
October 2024