To begin here is a shameless plug for volunteering with Bristol Food Network…
We always need writers for Bristol’s Good Food Update, to profile projects too busy to tell the world about the great things they’re doing, and to craft inspirational case studies. We also need writers to tell stories on the Bristol Good Food 2030 website – take a look here.
During the Bristol Get Growing Garden Trail which takes place the first weekend in June every year, we need photographers to capture memorable moments from all the events that happen over the weekend. We’d also like some help to support the community growing groups who take part in the Trail, by conducting a visitor survey.
Plus we are also looking for someone who loves social media to help us raise the profile of all the great food-related community events and projects which are going on in the city. If you love Twitter and Facebook, please get in touch.
To discuss any of the volunteering opportunities, please email hello@bristolgoodfood.org
Here are some other ways that you can get involved with volunteering in Bristol:
General Volunteering Opportunities
Voscur
Royal Oak House, Royal Oak Avenue, Bristol BS1 4GB
T 0117 909 9949
E info@voscur.org
W https://www.voscur.org/
Can Do Bristol
W https://candobristol.co.uk/
Goodgym
Goodgym run to community projects and then do some gardening or other group tasks to help those projects.
W https://www.goodgym.org/areas/bristol
Community Food Organisations
Alive ‘Growing Support’ sessions
W https://aliveactivities.org/alive/en/volunteer/volunteering-in-gardens/
Volunteers are needed to help others to get gardening, through social and therapeutic gardening activities for older people at 30 settings across the South West, mainly in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Elm Tree Farm
Park Road, Stapleton BS16 1AA
W https://www.elmtreefarm.org/get-involved/volunteering/
Elm Tree Farm is a Brandon Trust enterprise, providing over 80 people with learning disabilites vocational skills and employment. Volunteering opportunities include farm buddies in the farm shop, as weekend growers & market gardeners.
FareShare South West
Unit 4, Little Anne Street, St Judes BS2 9EB
T 0117 954 2220
W faresharesouthwest.org.uk
FareShare redistributes quality surplus food to groups working with vulnerable individuals in and around Bristol.
TYPICAL OPPORTUNITIES: Warehouse volunteers · Van drivers · Delivery assistants · Cycle delivery
FoodCycle Bristol
Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, BS5 0AX
W foodcycle.org.uk/location/bristol
FoodCycle collects surplus produce which is used to prepare nutritious meals to be served to the community.
TYPICAL OPPORTUNITIES: Collecting surplus food by bike · Cooking · Support team
91 Ways
W http://91ways.org/volunteer
91 Ways use the uniting power of food to bridge the gaps between Bristol’s 91 language communities, in order to build a more united and sustainable city. They are looking for volunteers and community cooks for their Supper Clubs and events.
The Coexist Community Kitchen
Mivart Street Studios, Unit 10, Epstein Building, Bristol BS5 6JF
E food@coexistuk.org
W https://www.coexistcommunitykitchen.org/volunteer
The Coexist Community Kitchen runs weekly cookery classes specifically for people who experience social marginalisation in the community.
The Matthew Tree Project
Various sites around Bristol
T 0117 966 8071
E info@the-matthew-treeproject.org
W www.the-matthew-tree-project.org
Providing a range of support and guidance services targeted at the most at risk and crisis hit members of society.
TYPICAL OPPORTUNITIES: Mobile FoodStore Team · Food Distribution Centre Team · Food Appeal Collection Team · Food Growing Team
Community Food Growing Organisations
Blaise Community Garden
Henbury Road BS10 7QS
Find us next to Blaise House Museum, to the left of the front of the building (number 1 bus or parking next to Blaise Café)
Workdays: Mondays (summer only), Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am–2pm
E info@blaisecommunitygarden.org.uk
W blaisecommunitygarden.org.uk
The Community Farm
Denny Lane, Chew Magna BS40 8SZ
Join regular volunteers on Tuesdays & Thursdays (October–May) or Monday–Saturday (June-September). Or come to a Community Farmer Day when free minibus transport is available from Bristol.
T 01275 295 029
W www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk
Heart of BS13 at Hartcliffe Community Farm
Lampton Ave, Bristol BS13 0QH
W heartofbs13.org.uk/get-involved/community-volunteering
E info@hartcliffecityfarm.org.uk
Market gardening Tuesdays 9.30-3.30, general volunteering Thursdays 10.00-3.00pm.
Easton Community Garden
Gordon Rd, Easton/Whitehall.
Access lane is between nos. 58 & 60. Nearest postcode BS5 7DR
Workdays: Thursdays 11–4pm (5pm summer)
E eastoncommunitygarden@gmail.com
W www.eastoncommunitygarden.org.uk
Grow Wilder (Avon Wildlife Trust)
181 Frenchay Park Road (on the corner with Stoke Lane) Stapleton BS16 1HB
E growwilder@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
W https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/volunteering-opportunities
Volunteering: Opportunities available in Land Management & Food Growing, Wildflower Nursery, Café & Events and Site Administration. Email to find out more.
Golden Hill Community Garden
Entrance through the allotment gates at the bottom of Monk Rd BS7 8NE
Workdays: Wednesdays 10am–4pm
W www.thegoldenhillcommunitygarden.com
Incredible Edible Bristol
Opportunities at sites across the city throughout Spring and Summer.
W http://ediblebristol.org.uk/events
Leigh Court Farm
Pill Road, Abbots Leigh BS8 3RA
Volunteers needed May–Dec.
T 01275 375 756
E mail@leighcourtfarm.org.uk
W leighcourtfarm.org.uk
Lockleaze Community Orchard
Concorde Way Cycle path, just off Bonnington Walk, Horfield
Workdays: Last Saturday of every month
W https://www.facebook.com/groups/LockleazeCommunityOrchard
Metford Road Community Orchard
Metford Road Allotments, Metford Road (entrance by no 37), Redland BS6 7LA
Workdays: 1st Sunday of the month March–October, with additional sessions on an ad hoc basis. Arrive 11.30am–12pm
E janbrewercbc@yahoo.co.uk
W http://www.sustainableredland.org.uk/metford-road-community-orchard
Patchwork Community Gardening Group
Various sites in BS3
Patchwork: last Thursday of the month 6.30pm, April–September
W http://bedminsterpatchwork.tumblr.com
Sea Mills Community Garden
Sylvan Way, Sea Mills, nearest postcode BS9 2LB
Workdays: Mondays 10am-12pm (young families welcome), Wednesdays 10am–1pm, Thursdays 1pm-4pm
https://www.facebook.com/Sea-Mills-Community-Garden-418392558533301/
Sims Hill Shared Harvest
Grow Wilder site, 181 Frenchay Park Road (on the corner with Stoke Lane) Stapleton BS16 1HB
Workdays: 3rd Sunday of every month (no workday in August) 10.30am–4pm
E simshillsharedharvest@gmail.com
W https://simshill.co.uk/volunteer
Woodcroft Community Orchard
Behind Woodcroft Road (access lane opposite 97 Birchwood Rd), St Anne’s BS4
Workdays: 1st Saturday of the month
E woodcroftcommunityorchard@gmail.com
W http://woodcroftcommunityorchard.wordpress.com