Volunteer Gardening in Preston: How to Get Involved
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Have you ever found yourself searching for “volunteer gardening near me” — wanting to get outside, meet people, and do something meaningful?
You’re not alone.
Across Preston, more and more people are looking for ways to connect with nature, improve their wellbeing, and be part of something positive. Gardening is one of the simplest ways to do that — and you don’t need any experience to get started.
At Let’s Grow Preston, we believe that everyone has something to contribute, and that growing plants can also mean growing confidence, connection, and community.
Why Gardening is So Good for You
Spending time outdoors and working with plants has a powerful impact on both mental and physical health.
Volunteering in a garden can help you:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve mood and mental wellbeing
Build confidence and self-esteem
Stay physically active
Meet new people and feel less isolated
Many of our volunteers tell us that being in the garden helps them feel calmer, more grounded, and more connected.
Who Can Volunteer?
One of the most important things about Let’s Grow Preston is that there is no ‘typical’ volunteer.
We welcome people from all walks of life, including:
People looking for work or new skills
Those experiencing stress, anxiety, or low mood
People with long-term health conditions
Neurodiverse individuals
Young people and older adults
Anyone feeling isolated or wanting to connect
You don’t need gardening experience.You don’t need to commit to set hours.
What to Expect When You Visit
Our sessions are flexible and welcoming. There’s no pressure to attend every week or stay for a set amount of time.
When you arrive, you might:
Sow seeds or pot up plants
Help maintain garden spaces
Take part in food growing
Support community projects
Or simply enjoy being outside with others
Some people like to chat. Some prefer to work quietly. Both are absolutely fine.
Making a Difference in Your Community
Volunteering with Let’s Grow Preston isn’t just about gardening — it’s about being part of something bigger.
The plants grown by our volunteers:
Support community gardens across Preston
Help local food hubs provide fresh produce
Improve green spaces for everyone
Encourage biodiversity and wildlife
This means you can see the real impact of what you do — from seed to community.
“The highlight of my year is watching the vegetables come in from the allotments and knowing I helped.”
Getting Started is Easy
If you’ve been looking for gardening volunteering opportunities in Preston, this is a great place to begin.
You can:
👉 Volunteer at one of our sessions and see what it’s like
👉 Come along to Ashton Walled Garden or Grange Community Garden with a friend or support worker
👉 Get in touch at letsgrowpreston@gmail.com if you have any questions
There’s no formal process — just a warm welcome.
Come and Grow With Us
Whether you’re looking to improve your wellbeing, meet new people, or give something back, volunteering in a garden can be a powerful first step.
At Let’s Grow Preston, we create spaces where people feel:
Safe
Valued
Included
Part of a community
If that sounds like something you need, we’d love to meet you.
FAQ: Volunteering with Let’s Grow Preston
1. Who can volunteer with Let’s Grow Preston?
Anyone! We welcome people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds — including those looking for work, experiencing stress or low mood, living with long-term health conditions, neurodiverse individuals, young people, and older adults. No gardening experience is required.
2. What will I do as a gardening volunteer?
Volunteers take part in flexible, hands-on activities such as sowing seeds, potting plants, maintaining gardens, growing food, or supporting community projects. You can work quietly or socialize — there’s no pressure.
3. Do I need gardening experience to join?
No. Let’s Grow Preston welcomes beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Guidance and support are available, but all you need is a willingness to participate.
4. How can volunteering in a garden help my wellbeing?
Gardening has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, increase confidence and self-esteem, promote physical activity, and reduce feelings of isolation. Many volunteers report feeling calmer, more grounded, and more connected.
5. Where are the volunteer gardening sessions held?
Sessions take place at Ashton Walled Garden and Grange Community Garden in Preston, Lancashire. Both locations are accessible and welcoming to people of all abilities.
6. How do I get started volunteering in Preston green spaces?
Getting started is easy:
Come along to a volunteer session at one of our gardens
Bring a friend or support worker if you like
Contact us at letsgrowpreston@gmail.com with questions
There’s no formal process — just a warm welcome.
7. What impact do volunteers have in the community?
Volunteers help grow plants and vegetables that:
Support community gardens across Preston
Provide fresh produce to local food hubs
Improve green spaces for everyone
Encourage biodiversity and wildlife
You can see the tangible impact of your contribution from seed to community.
8. Can I volunteer if I can’t attend every week?
Absolutely. Sessions are flexible, and volunteers can attend as often as they like. There’s no pressure to commit to set hours — just come when you can.
9. How do I stay updated about volunteer opportunities?
Sign up for our newsletter or contact us via email at letsgrowpreston@gmail.com. You’ll receive updates about sessions, workshops, and community projects.
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