HELP out AROUND THE FARM!
Spitalfields City Farm was originally set up by volunteers in 1978 and we still rely on volunteers today to help maintain the farmyard and gardens, look after the animals, and assist in delivering projects. In short, without volunteers there would be no Farm. At Spitalfields City Farm we work with a vibrant and multicultural community to provide voluntary and educational opportunities and empower people to gain new skills, knowledge, confidence and experience. We offer a number of voluntary opportunities outlined below, where you can also sign up to express your interest in any of our set roles.
We only accept applications from individuals over the age of 18 years - we currently do not have the capacity to support under-18s or family group volunteering, although we are working on ways to introduce these opportunities.
If you are a support worker, key worker, or carer who is assisting with the writing of this application, please get in touch with us on volunteer@spitalfieldscityfarm.org before submitting, so that we can have a discussion about what your client/relative is looking for and what we’re able to offer, and help manage expectations. Some Farm volunteers with support or communication needs are required to attend their weekly sessions with their support worker/carer so that we can ensure their area lead for the day is able to split their time and capacity equally between all volunteers on site. However, we know this might feel like a barrier for some individuals, so we’d love to have an open conversation first to see if we're able to help.
For employee volunteering and corporate team building requests, please see our dedicated Team Challenges page.
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULe
Volunteering sessions run Monday to Sunday, apart from the Biodiversity role, which is only open on Tuesday’s; and the Maintenance role, which is only open on Monday’s.
Full day: 10.00am – 4.30pm
Half day: 10.00am - 1.00pm or 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Please note, volunteers are expected to attend regularly and commit to a minimum 6 months of volunteering. We do not offer one-off volunteering day opportunities.
Please read the role descriptions below and fill out this volunteer application form to be added to the waitlist.
Visitor Engagement Volunteer
The Farm has a considerable number of weekly visitors, and we are committed to ensuring they have an enjoyable, comfortable and positive visit. With the help of volunteers, we make this happen.
This role is very varied and will involve a day of training to learn about the Farm's history, animals, gardens, and services. You can read more about what the role involves in the role description document below.
For this role, while not essential, an ability to speak a community language such as Bengali is desirable.
To sign up, please read the Visitor Engagement role description below and then submit our online volunteer application form or visit the Farm in person.
Farmyard and Animal Care Volunteer
Volunteers are essential for the running of our farmyard. We need support with feeding, mucking out and tending to our animals behaviour and healthcare needs. As a Farmyard and Animal Care volunteer you will work alongside our team and learn about best practice animal welfare and farmyard management.
If this role interests you, please read the role description (link below) and fill out this online volunteer application form to be added to the waitlist.
Garden and Growth VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are involved in all aspects of cultivating the vegetable gardens. We have space to grow food, learn about practical horticulture and sustainable growing methods. We hold gardening sessions daily.
If this role interests you please read the role description (link below) and fill out this online volunteer application form to be added to the waitlist.
আবেদনপত্র বাংলায় পাওয়া যায়।
Coriander Club (Female only)
Founded in 2000 and led by our resident gardening expert Lutfun, The Coriander Club is a female only group session on Tuesday mornings from 10am. This session is in English and Bengali; speciality South-Asian produce is grown including Naga chili, Kodu and Amaranth. This club provides a regular opportunity to socialise with other women, while learning to grow vegetables and how to cook them.
If this role interests you, please read the role description (link below) and fill out this online volunteer application form to be added to the waitlist, or visit the Farm in person.
Biodiversity and wildlife volunteer
Our biodiversity volunteers carry out regular habitat maintenance (including bat boxes, bird boxes, wildflower areas, deadwood habitats, scrub, hedgerows, the bug hotel, and pond maintenance), building new ones (sand planters for mining bees, bucket ponds, green roofs, beetle loggeries), collect observations and data about our wild residents by helping out at surveys and population counts (which also feeds into the borough-wide biodiversity stats and nationwide data), and help run events such as public bat watches. You will work into our Biodiversity & Wildlife Volunteer Coordinator and our Site Manager.
Our dedicated website page should be reviewed prior to application, please click here. Please also review our Biodiversity Management Plan, which guides our biodiversity and wildlife maintenance works calendar.
This role is currently only open on Tuesday’s and will run every two to four weeks depending on where we are in the annual habitat works calendar. If you’re particularly passionate about this area of volunteering but can’t make Tuesday, we are still interested in hearing from you - please apply anyhow, and acknowledge this in your application notes.
If this role interests you please read the role description (link below) and fill out this online volunteer application form to be added to the waitlist.
Maintenance and Site Development volunteer
Volunteers help us maintain the Farm. We need support with a wide range of tasks including painting, perimeter repairs to keep our animals safe, preparation and development of new areas of the Farm. You will work alongside our team and help us with maintenance, design and general farm site management.
We are currently looking for people with prior experience in education/maintenance.
This role is currently only open on Monday’s, although if you’re particularly passionate about this area of volunteering but can’t do that day, we are still interested in hearing from you - please apply anyhow, and acknowledge this in your application notes.
If this role interests you, please read the role description (link below) and fill out this online volunteer application form to be added to the waitlist.
Outdoor Education Volunteer
We celebrate our ability to provide children and young people access to nature. Our education programme is designed to enhance curriculum learning, bringing lessons around food, animals and the natural world to life. You will work alongside the education team supporting them to deliver tours, workshops and holiday activities.
This role is varied and will give you the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the Farm while developing skills for working with children and young people through hands on practical experience.
We will not be recruiting into this role until Spring 2027. If you are interested in this area of work, please apply from February 2027 and we will respond then. Please note this role will require an enhanced DBS check.
If this role interests you, please read the role description (button below) and fill out this online volunteer application form to be added to the waitlist.
Employee TEAM BUILDING
Looking for group volunteer days for your organisation? Please see our dedicated Team Challenges page.
Please note, we are a small charity and cannot provide one-off volunteer sessions for individual employees or free group volunteering sessions.
For further information, please contact the Volunteer Manager: volunteer@spitalfieldscityfarm.org, 020 7247 8762, or visit the Farm in person, Tuesday - Sunday 10:00-16:00.
We may close applications early if we fill the posts, so do apply as soon as you can.
For other ‘green jobs’ see environmentjob.co.uk
For other food growing related jobs see www.rootstowork.org
For more local opportunities see Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets www.vcth.org.uk
For other roles in the Charity Sector see www.charityjob.co.uk
VOLUNTEERING Photos
Click on photos to view them in full!
Meet our Volunteers
Name: Sheila
Role: Farmyard and Garden Volunteer.
How long have you been volunteering with Spitalfields City Farm and why did you start?
I’ve been volunteering since 2021, following taking early retirement from working for The City of London.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at the Farm?
I like being outside and seeing the seasons change. Even Winter has charm on the Farm.
What have you learnt while volunteering at the farm?
I’m not the most practical person, so it’s been interesting to learn more about the animals being looked after in the farmyard. For example, how to keep them cool in this hot weather. On the gardening side, I’ve just completed a City & Guilds Organic Gardening course, and enjoy being able to apply a little more knowledge.
Do you have a favourite animal and why?
How can I choose? They are all adorable, but Holmes does greet me every time I see him.
What do you recommend that other people try at the Farm?
There’s always jobs that needs doing on the farm. Tasks often alter due to the seasons, so you’re never bored. It’s also a good thing to push yourself outside of your comfort zone now and then by learning new things.
Is there anything you would like to see more of?
More information about the history of the Farm would be fascinating.
What three words would you use to describe the farm?
Captivating, inclusive, unpredictable.