The Willow Field Project

weaving wellness, creating unity

rooted in community

The Willow Field’s Botanical Dye Garden, tended by volunteers every Thursday between 10am and 3pm

Thanks to the generous support from local funders, we’re delighted to have spent 2024 expanding our health and wellbeing work on the willow field with tailored groups and volunteering opportunities, creating an inclusive space where people can connect and create with each other and nature through growing and crafting.

Our willow field project holds the CHIME framework in head, heart and hands. CHIME is an acronym supporting mental health and wellbeing, standing for connection, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment. We hope to provide a space where these qualities can flourish and people feel seen, accepted and appreciated for who they are, in all their diversity.

On Tuesdays, The Green Team get together, a gardening and crafting group for adults with learning disabilities, autism and additional support needs.

Please click here to find out more.

New hands weaving old ways,

new roots shaping wholesome days.

Current Volunteering Opportunities

We welcome volunteers who are eager to learn and lend a hand in creating a vibrant, sustainable environment, supporting others to create a sense of community and togetherness. Volunteering can make such a positive difference to peoples’ lives, improving self esteem and confidence and providing an opportunity to socialise, learn and share different skills and gain knowledge and experience. Come and be part of something special and rediscover the joy of nature, creativity, and connection.

Are you passionate about nature, gardening, and getting your hands dirty?
Do you love learning, crafting and creating eco-friendly projects?
Are you looking to socialise and have fun in friendly company?
Thursdays are for you!

We are delighted to offer volunteering opportunities each Thursday from 10am - 3pm on the willow field with the chance to learn how to craft with Amy and support Emily, Jo and Sue with both long and short-term projects on the willow field and gardens. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, you’ll find yourself welcome. No prior experience is necessary – just bring your enthusiasm.

Current work on the land includes compost building, weeding, planting willow, tending the dye garden, making pallet furniture, and creating an outdoor social space.

In the afternoons, learn how to felt or weave bird feeders and make paper and rag rugs. These eco-crafting techniques will be taught to our groups for adults with additional needs and we are especially keen to share these skills with volunteers who are interested in coming along regularly and supporting others to learn in a befriending capacity.

We pause for lunch between 12.30 and 1.30pm. You’re welcome to bring food and drinks with you which you can warm in our kitchen facilities.

Refreshments and all necessary tools and materials will be provided. Please wear comfortable, cosy clothes and shoes suitable for outdoor activities.

If you would like to find out more about our groups or volunteering opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Emily at care@naturallyuseful.co.uk, Jo at volunteer@naturallyuseful.co.uk, or give us a call on 01309 675052.

No experience is needed: gardening, willow and wool work are all possible and training will be given. It is important to us that as a participant or volunteer you feel valued, and we’ll do our best to give back, so please let us know if there’s anything you’re really keen on learning, or skills you’d especially like to share.

For more information about volunteering opportunities, please click to see our volunteer handbook here.

VOLUNTEERING ACTIVITIES

🌱 Gardening: Weather dependent! We’ll be mulching, clearing, weeding, landscaping and planting. There are plenty of tasks to take care of in the polytunnels should the weather be wet and you want to stay dry!

🐦 Crafting botanical dyeing with plants grown in our dye garden.

A volunteer’s testimony

“Volunteering for Naturally Useful has been a wonderful experience so far. I have a background in ecology, growing, agroecokogy and artisan crafts. It has allowed me to combine my skills and focus on merging my skills set with a community of makers and creators. I am sure whatever background you have, there could be an avenue for you to find your natural creative instinct again.
Working with the wool, felting- and soon to go on to dyeing when the plants flourish again in the spring- has been incredibly therapeutic. It is amazing what you can achieve with what is essentially a by - product of the farming industry (wool) and make such beautiful products for people to enjoy. I have been given guidance throughout the learning process and access to the tools to do so.
It certainly has given me the confidence to be able to create good quality natural products amongst a very skilled, lovely team. Thank you Naturally Useful.”