Introduction to Volunteering

Kindling Farm was established by volunteers and our volunteers remain at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s planting strawberries, assembling polytunnels or cleaning out the farm machinery - we simply couldn’t achieve our ambitions without them!

Now, as we enter our second growing season, we are looking to expand our team of volunteers - come along to one of our taster days to discover what volunteering at a farm is like. 

No previous experience or skills are needed. You will be supported and guided by farm staff and our Volunteer Leads who have been involved in operations on the farm for the past 3 years. 

We always sit down together at lunchtime for a hearty soup to thank you for all your hard work!

We have 2 dates: Sunday 19th April or Saturday 30th May from 11am - 3pm. Please make sure that you are booking for the right date when you register. 

If you are booking for more than one person, please register them seperately. 

About you

Our Introduction to Volunteer days aren’t suitable for children and anyone attending these events must be aged 18+. 
All our volunteers need to be able to do physical tasks outdoors (although we do have indoor and low impact jobs too). 

About us
Kindling Farm is a Community Benefit Society owned by our 800 members with the aim of creating a fairer and more sustainable food and farming system for all.

In April 2023, we purchased a 78 acre farm between Manchester & Liverpool where we are now establishing a pioneering, agroforestry farm for the Northwest. Here we will research, explore, practise and demonstrate the best ways to farm for wildlife, climate change, soil and communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be physically fit? Many of the activities on the farm can be physically demanding but we always try to have an assortment of tasks on the day so please get in touch in advance if you would need a low impact job.

Is the farm accessible? We are currently working  with Progress in Practice Architects to plan the renovation of Kindling Farm. At the moment, the site is not fully accessible. We have many uneven pathways and limited facilities with one indoor toilet which is up a set of stairs and one outdoor camping loo. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact: hayley@kindling.org.uk 

What should I wear? It’s a good idea to wear sturdy footwear - walking boots or wellies are ideal. Even on a sunny day, the site can feel chilly so we’d advise wearing a couple of layers. And of course, we never can trust the weather so always bring  waterproofs. But don’t let this put you off. We can lend you some wellies and help you source waterproof clothing if you don’t have it. Just let us know in advance by contacting hayley@kindling.org.uk 

What if it rains? We work in all kinds of weather conditions here at the farm to make sure our plans stay on track! We never compromise on safety and amend our plans based on the weather if necessary, but do come prepared for all weathers!

How many hours volunteering do I have to do? You don’t have to commit to anything long term - this is a taster day to give you an idea of what to expect from our longer volunteer days.
Some of our volunteers attend for a couple of days a month whereas others fit it around their schedules and/ or pick the time of the year they’d like to volunteer. 

Why volunteer with us? Volunteering has many benefits; many volunteers talk about a positive impact on their physical health and wellbeing. It’s a chance to give something back to your local community and meet like-minded people.
Here at the farm, there is a great sense of camaraderie between our volunteers and they often leave at the end of the day feeling proud as they play such a significant part in the development of the farm.
Your support on the farm has an even wider impact; at Kindling we are working towards a fairer farming system which is better for the environment and sustainable for our future generations.