The NHS Forest volunteer matching service has been developed to support healthcare sites find volunteers to help develop their green spaces, especially tree planting and maintenance. Opportunities might involve tree planting, tree maintenance, weeding, pruning, planting or landscaping. Our aim is to bring together enthusiastic volunteers with sites in need of help with their green spaces. NHS Forest will support with advice, best practice and some training, but the project itself will remain completely in the hands of the healthcare site.

Garden volunteers at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester
Garden volunteers at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. Photo: Dora Damian, 2022. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

Why work with volunteers on green space projects?

Engaging volunteers in the planning, execution and ongoing maintenance of projects within healthcare green spaces is vital for fostering sustainable and impactful nature-based initiatives. By involving volunteers, NHS sites can not only enhance the aesthetics and functionality of their green estates, but also cultivate a sense of community ownership and environmental stewardship. 

The Conservation Volunteers on a tree planting day with the ranger in Fazackerley Bluebell Woods, Liverpool
The Conservation Volunteers on a tree planting day with the ranger in Fazackerley Bluebell Woods, Liverpool. Photo: Fiona Megarrell / Centre for Sustainable Healthcare 2021. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

We’re a healthcare site, how do we sign up?

The NHS Forest volunteer matching service is designed to help healthcare sites find volunteers who can specifically support with green space and nature projects. Sites can register their requirements on the NHS Forest website. Volunteers will then contact you directly to make arrangements. NHS Forest can support with advice and best practice, but you remain in charge of the process.

A volunteer gardens at King's Hospital's Jennie Lee Garden, part of Lambeth GP Food Co-op
A volunteer gardens at King’s Hospital’s Jennie Lee Garden, part of Lambeth GP Food Co-op. Photo: Vicki Brown / Centre for Sustainable Healthcare 2021. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

I’m a volunteer, how do I find opportunities?

If you are a volunteer, you can sign up to receive email notifications from sites in your region. You can even register for notifications for more than one region. Alternatively, you can browse all the opportunities on the NHS Forest website. Once you have found a suitable volunteering opportunity, use the contact details on the post to get in touch with the site directly. Please note that the site itself will be responsible for health and safety, safeguarding and administration for the role. Sites reserve the right to change details of the role and to withdraw it at any time.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities on behalf of a large organisation or business, you can also use this service. However, we encourage you to consider making a donation directly to the healthcare site as well to support their work.

Ranger Karen MacKelvie with volunteer staff and community members plug planting a wildflower meadow at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
Ranger Karen MacKelvie with volunteer staff and community members plug planting a wildflower meadow at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Photo: Vicki Brown / Centre for Sustainable Healthcare 2021. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

How does the service work?

It is important to note that whilst our service facilitates connections between NHS sites and volunteers, the NHS Forest is not responsible for the events or activities organised through our service. It is the responsibility of both healthcare sites and volunteers to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety regulations and to mitigate any associated risks. They are also responsible for the accuracy of the opportunities they post. However, we are happy to offer general advice and have lots of valuable resources in our site and volunteer packs.

We have a number of useful templates and guides for you to download for your project.

Tree planting resources

Agreement template

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