Volunteer with us

You don’t need an allotment or years of gardening experience to get involved with the Rivelin Valley Allotment Society. We welcome enquiries from individuals, local businesses and large employers who want to help a community of gardeners grow.

• Workplace and corporate volunteer days
• Help a member or explore plot sharing
• Volunteer as an individual

Workplace and corporate volunteer days

Looking for a staff volunteering day in Sheffield? We’d love to hear from you, whether you’re organising a small team outing or exploring a wider employee volunteering programme.

Our members have worked together on hedge-laying, raised beds and improvements that make gardening more accessible. Depending on the season and the work needed, a team could help prepare growing beds, improve paths, care for wildlife habitats or tackle a practical building or maintenance project. See our developments page for the projects taking shape.

Start by telling us:

• Your organisation and roughly how many people would like to join in.
• Possible dates and whether you’re thinking of a few hours, a full day or regular visits.
• Any practical skills or interests in the team, and any access requirements we should plan around.

We’ll discuss a suitable project and what we can accommodate. Dates, group size, tasks and practical arrangements need to be agreed with the committee before a visit is confirmed. That conversation will also cover supervision, equipment, facilities and what participants need to bring.

Enquire about a workplace volunteer day

If your organisation could contribute materials, specialist skills or project funding, we’d welcome that conversation too. The Wickes Community Programme has helped with an accessible raised bed; other offers of practical support are very welcome.

Help a member or explore plot sharing

Enjoy growing but don’t want to take on a whole plot alone? You might like to help an existing member with sowing, weeding or watering, or explore sharing the work more regularly. Beginners and experienced gardeners are both welcome to ask.

Existing members can get in touch too: perhaps you’d enjoy some company, need an occasional hand or want help keeping on top of the growing.

Tell us a little about your interests, how often you could help, or what help you’re looking for. With both people’s agreement, we can explore a possible introduction. Availability will depend on members’ interest and circumstances.

Any arrangement would need agreement on visits, responsibilities and sharing produce, along with any necessary council approval. RVAS does not allocate plots or grant tenancies; enquiries about renting a plot should go to Sheffield City Council.

Ask about plot sharing or helping a member

Volunteer as an individual

If you’d prefer to join a group activity, ask about a working party, helping with the plant sale or getting involved in communal growing. There are different ways to take part, and you don’t have to commit to a regular slot to make an enquiry.

Let us know what you enjoy, when you’re usually free and any access requirements. We’ll discuss what might suit you and share the next steps directly.

Get in touch about volunteering

All enquiries go to rvascontact@gmail.com. Please arrange visits with us in advance; we’ll send joining details once the plans are agreed.