Improving the look of your environment, getting to know your community better and gaining new skills are just a few of the benefits of volunteering with organisations that help to make Farnham bloom. 

Farnham Town Council is helping organisations that focus on enhancing the environment and providing opportunities to get involved in horticulture and conservation to find new volunteers. A volunteers’ recruitment fair will take place on 23 April from 11am to 1pm at Gostrey Meadow which will include live music and refreshments.

Councillor Sally Dickson, Lead Member for Community Enhancement says: “With so many community activities going on in Farnham there are a multitude of ways to volunteer. At the volunteers’ fair, we are bringing lots of environment-themed community groups together in one place in a freshers’ fair-style event where potential volunteers can chat to the organisations looking for volunteers. 

“Lots of groups have seen a decline in volunteers after the pandemic so this is a chance for them to boost numbers. You will be able to find out what organisations are looking for and learn about what they do through a friendly no-obligation chat.”

Some of the groups that are keen to recruit volunteers include Bloomin’ Friends, Space2Grow, Tice’s Meadow, Abbeyfield, Badshot Lea Bloomers and others. 

Community groups and organisations typically need many volunteers and a wide range of skills and experience in order to keep going. This could include practical help like making nesting boxes, clearing an area of weeds, pond clearance, looking after a website, providing admin support or assisting with managing the financial accounts. 

Volunteering brings people together and can be the ideal way to get to know other local people, particularly for those who have recently moved to the area. It can also be a good way of developing skills that could be used in employment. From a wellbeing perspective, socialising, getting outdoors or trying a new activity can all be beneficial.