Norfolk Museums Service (NMS) was established in 1974 when Norfolk’s County and District councils agreed to delegate their authority for museums to a Joint Museums Committee and create a countywide ...
Permaculture Garden Volunteers
Practical details
Volunteering • Organisation role
Contact person
Michelle Gaskin
Provided
#124048
Scan me or visit www.getinvolvednorfolk.org.uk/o/Norfolk-Museums-Service/opportunities/Permaculture-Garden-Volunteers/124048 to join
We are looking for volunteers to support the creation of a new permaculture demonstration garden on the museum farm.
We are looking for volunteers to support the Seeds of Change project at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum, which is being supported by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The funding will support the creation of a new permaculture demonstration garden on the museum farm. This will provide a fantastic resource for teaching people about sustainable horticulture inspired by historic approaches to growing food.
The museum team are looking for new volunteers to help develop and maintain the garden. The new garden will be created in the beautiful setting of the museum farm, which is home to rare breed animals including working Suffolk Punch horses, Norfolk Horn Sheep and Large Black pigs. Nature walks take in wildflower meadows and the bio-diverse chalk stream habitat of the Wendling Beck.
What's involved?
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about gardening, nature and the environment. Working as part of a team the volunteers will help to create and maintain the new garden.
The schedule of activities is under development, but the main activity is likely to take place on a set day each week. While activities will spread across the year the busiest periods are likely to be during the spring and summer time.
Tasks will involve all aspects of caring for a small garden; planting and sowing seeds, watering, weeding, pruning, composting and general maintenance. Volunteers may also wish to talk to visitors about the garden and let them know what plants they can see.
General gardening experience would be welcome but not essential as training will be given.
Volunteering takes place at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Gressenhall, Dereham, NR20 4DR
Tools, equipment and PPE will be provided.
Related to
About Norfolk Museums Service
Norfolk Museums Service (NMS) was established in 1974 when Norfolk’s County and District councils agreed to delegate their authority for museums to a Joint Museums Committee and create a countywide museums service.
NMS is made up of 10 museum sites across Norfolk:
Ancient House Museum, Thetford
Cromer Museum
Elizabethan House Museum, Great Yarmouth
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse
Lynn Museum, King’s Lynn
Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell
Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery
Strangers’ Hall, Norwich
Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life
Tolhouse Gaol, Great Yarmouth
The service also operates the Norwich Castle Study Centre, and a collections centre based at Gressenhall.
In 2018, NMS was recognised by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), and awarded £4,812,680 in direct funding between 2018 and 2022.
Through operating as a joint service, NMS is able to provide central expertise in conservation, design, technical and collections management matters to its sites. The countywide nature of the service provides an additional benefit to visitors through the availability of the Norfolk Museums Pass, which allows passholders unlimited access to NMS sites for 12 months from purchase (subject to seasonal opening at some sites).
Mission
Inspiring pride in Norfolk’s heritage through 10 award-winning museums
Vision
Engaging and inspiring the widest possible audience, both across Norfolk and beyond
Enriching people’s lives and creating a sense of place and identity
Ensuring all Norfolk residents, especially children, experience high-quality learning in the museums we care for and through the collections in our trust
Contributing significantly to the visitor economy of Norfolk and contributing to the development of sustainable tourism partnerships
Developing our staff and volunteers to improve services and support wider employment and skills agendas
Collecting, preserving and interpreting the material evidence of Norfolk’s past
Stimulating creativity, inspiration and enjoyment through the museums and collections in our care
Values
We are committed to caring for Norfolk’s rich heritage, both for future generations and for our communities and visitors today
We are passionate about learning and fostering skills and knowledge amongst Norfolk’s children
We provide leadership to other museums across Norfolk and the East of England, along with support to other cultural, educational and heritage organisations
We value and invest in our staff, trainees and volunteers so that they can deliver an outstanding service to our communities and to our visitors
We are accountable and credible in the work we do and we are open to challenge and advice
We are dedicated to the long-term care of the collections and historic buildings in our trust
We will work in partnership to achieve our mission and we will ensure that we are a trustworthy and dedicated partner to others
We will operate in a highly sustainable way, minimising our impact on the environment
We will encourage innovation and commercial awareness across all parts of our organisation