Volunteer working at David Livingstone Birthplace

Garden Volunteer

Background

Following a four-year refurbishment, we opened our brand-new museum exhibition, shop, and café in July 2021. This is an exciting time to join us as we welcome visitors into the new museum for the 2022 season.

The gardening volunteers are a friendly team of volunteers who work all year round to maintain the extensive gardens around the David Livingstone Birthplace. They play an important role in making the grounds accessible, attractive, and enjoyable for the wide range of people that visit the grounds.

Full training will be provided, and volunteers will be able to claim reimbursement for travel.

The Benefits Of Volunteering

  • The chance to meet new people and join our community of dedicated volunteers.
  • Gaining experience to use on your CV.
  • The opportunity to put existing skills into practice and build new skills.
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses.
  • Volunteering references.

Location

David Livingstone Birthplace, 165 Station Road, Blantyre, G72 9BY.

Key Tasks

  • Grass cutting
  • Weeding
  • Hedge trimming
  • Tidying the grounds
  • Planting
  • Leaf clearance

Skills

  • Interest in working outdoors.
  • Enthusiasm and appreciation of plants and trees in a park setting.
  • Ability to work within a team and willingness to learn new skills.
  • Gardening experience is helpful but not essential.

Time and Level of Commitment

The garden volunteer team usually meet on Mondays and Thursdays between 10am-3pm with a break for lunch. Volunteers can join for the whole session or for any length of time that they can contribute. We are also looking for occasional volunteers who can spare some time every now and then to volunteer to undertake specific projects (usually at weekends).

Training

A volunteer induction will be given to introduce everyone to the site and current health and safety practices. Instruction will be given on each gardening task and how to use tools safely.

Resources

  • Garden tools will be provided.
  • Gloves and safety glasses will be provided if necessary.
  • No dress code but weather appropriate clothing should be worn each day.
  • Appropriate footwear is necessary.

Note: DLB can purchase new boots for volunteers if necessary or give reimbursement for new boots bought by volunteers up to £40.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and welcome applications from those facing barriers to employment, people living with a disability and with additional support needs, people from a BAME background, refugees. and those who identify as LGBTQI+. Previous convictions are not necessarily a barrier to volunteering.

The volunteer recruitment process will involve having an informal chat with the Volunteer and completing a formal induction into the voluntary role.

Reporting To

Maintenance Manager and Head Gardening Volunteer.

Also see Volunteers section.


We are very grateful to our key funders the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government for their support in helping us deliver the Birthplace Project.

National Lottery Heritage Fund
Scottish Government
Historic Environment Scotland
Note: Please note that David Livingstone Birthplace (and the David Livingstone Trust) is no longer part of National Trust Scotland (NTS). NTS members will therefore no longer receive discounted/free entry to the Birthplace Museum.

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As a registered charity, we rely on your donations to help maintain the museum's unique collections and educational programmes. Your generosity will make a difference. Thank you.

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