Volunteer at Wakehurst

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 help Kew deliver its mission.

Volunteering at Wakehurst

We currently have 100 volunteers based at Wakehurst in a variety of roles including volunteer guides, learning volunteers and horticultural volunteers.

Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds that include a film director, an accountant, students and carers. Although our volunteers all do it for different reasons, common motivations include wishing to give back to the community, the opportunity to learn new skills or keep skills sharp, whilst others are socially motivated. Without exception, all our volunteers are passionate about Kew and our work.

Volunteer benefits

Wakehurst celebrates and thanks its volunteers who donate their precious gifts of time and talent to the organisation. In return we hope to give our valued volunteers an interesting and rewarding volunteer experience. We also offer access to a number of exclusive ‘volunteer benefits’:

• Free entry for you and an adult guest to Kew Gardens and Wakehurst during opening hours (children are admitted to Kew free).

• Museum entry agreement - volunteers may use their Kew pass to gain free entry to a number of visitor attractions across London.

• 
Discounts on food and merchandise purchased in the shops at Kew and Wakehurst.

• Access to a variety of training and social opportunities.

Thank you

At Wakehurst we see volunteering as being about giving and receiving and we hope that our volunteers will both enjoy and learn from their experiences. 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 your strengths - something that will allow you to make a difference.

Thank you for your interest in supporting our work in this way.