Volunteer at Kew Gardens
Volunteers at Kew Gardens provide support for a wide range of projects across the Gardens and assist Kew's science and conservation work. Join Kew's volunteering programme to learn new skills, meet like-minded others and help us give back to the community.
Schools and Families volunteers - Gate Greeters welcome and help to orientate school groups arriving at Kew.
Volunteers are a vital and integral part of Kew and support the organisation by assisting staff in their work. Our volunteers donate a range of diverse talents and skills to various departments, most of whom donate either a full or half day per week to the organisation.
Kew has a record of working with volunteers since 1992 and there are currently over 550 volunteers generously donating their time and talent to Kew’s mission.
About our volunteer programme
We currently enjoy the support of over 450 volunteers on the Kew site. Our 150 ‘green fingered’ horticultural volunteers help out with the basic maintenance of Kew’s plant collections, for example, weeding, pruning, mulching, tidying and lawn edging.
Over 100 knowledgeable volunteer Kew guides lead tours of the Gardens for the public and provide a wealth of interesting information and orientation for visitors. There are also opportunities for volunteer drivers within our guiding programme - please click on the guiding link above to find out more.
Our enthusiastic schools and families programme volunteers engage and involve children, and their teachers or carers, in the various garden highlights and attractions at Kew Gardens.
Our volunteers in the science departments help in a variety of ways including project and administration support within our Herbarium and Jodrell Laboratory. Our Honorary Research Associates contribute their intellect and skills to our scientific research and publications. Volunteers at Kew also provide valuable seasonal support for events, festivals and the Kew Foundation. There are volunteer placements across all areas of Kew including retail, the Nash Conservatory and our Library.
Volunteer benefits
Kew celebrates and thanks its volunteers who donate the precious gift of time and talent to the organisation. In return we give our valued volunteers an interesting and rewarding volunteer experience and offer access to a number of exclusive benefits:
- Free entry to Kew Gardens and Wakehurst during opening hours and one accompanying adult guest (children are admitted to Kew free).
- Free use of the Kew Explorer tour bus.
- Museum entry agreement - Volunteers may use their Kew pass to gain free entry to a number of visitor attractions around London.
- Discounts on food and merchandise purchased in Kew shops.
- Volunteer clothing is provided where appropriate.
- Access to a variety of lectures, training and social opportunities.
Thank you
At Kew we see volunteering as being about giving and receiving and we hope that our volunteers will both enjoy and learn from their experiences at Kew. All our volunteers are unique and can make a difference – it’s just a matter of working out how. Read on to find out about a volunteering opportunity that may be right for you, that suits your passions, skills and talents, fits your needs and challenges your strengths - something that will allow you to make a difference.
Thank you for your interest in supporting Kew's work in this way.
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Kew news
Study finds sixty percent of UK species in decline
22 May 2013
Kew has contributed to a groundbreaking report on the state of wildlife in the UK in time for International Day of Biological Diversity. It reveals that 60% of species studied have declined over recent decades.
Conserving Darwin's Letters
by: Eleanor Hasler, Library, Art and Archives blog 17 May 2013
Discover more about the conservation work carried out on one of the most important, popular and fascinating collection in the Archives.
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Olympic rings spectacular unveiled
18 Apr 2012
A floral spectacular is in bloom in front of the Orangery at Kew Gardens to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games.
David Attenborough's Kingdom of Plants 3D now available on DVD and Blu-ray
13 Mar 2012
Filmed over the course of a year at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Kingdom of Plants 3D provides a fascinating new look at plant life using stunning 3D time-lapse filming techniques. Own your personal copy today following the DVD and Blu-ray release.
