Get Involved
Organiclea is formally constituted as a workers’ cooperative, with its activities managed by the workers directly. We also have a variety of volunteering opportunities, income generating schemes for other local growers and apprenticeship schemes and a wide range of training opportunities.
Listed here are the current opportunities and ways of getting involved:
Training opportunities – Supporting food growers and community gardens
* Click here for 2011 course programme at Hawkwood community plant nursery
We run a range of training courses at Hawkwood Community Plant Nursery, our food and plant production site. These learning opportunities are based in the class-room, market garden, glasshouse and woodlands of Organiclea’s food and plant production site on London’s Northeast edge in the Borough of Waltham Forest. This offers participants a chance to learn in this environment which supports community food growing – learning through theory, visuals, demonstrations and practice. Some of these courses are run in conjunction with Waltham Forest Community Learning and Skills Service and other partners.
Generate income from your local growing efforts – join ‘cropshare’
‘Cropshare’ is a scheme run by Organiclea at the Hornbeam Centre where local gardeners and allotment holders can legally sell their surplus fruit and vegetables through our box scheme and market stall.
You have to sign up to our crop-share scheme which means agreeing to the Wholesome Food Association’s principles of food production. This is a low-cost, alternative to organic certification for those growing and producing food for sale in their local region. You will receive monthly payment for the produce we sell for you.
Download the cropshare guide. Contact us if you are interested and would like more information.
Volunteer with Organiclea at the Hornbeam Centre or at our Hawkwood growing site
At the Hawkwood site, Chingford, E4 7UH: We hold open work days once a month on the last Sunday of the month 12pm – 4pm. If you are able to make a regular commitment we welcome volunteers on Tuesdays and Fridays 11-4pm. Fridays are fruit days – come along if you are interested in developing your fruit growing skills. See what’s on for details of open day activities and special events. There is always a range of activities needing doing, both in the glass house and outside, some more energetic (lifting, shovelling) than others (seed sowing, harvesting). We value the contribution made by volunteers, and can offer a great opportunity to learn about organic growing in a friendly supportive environment. Volunteers are eligible to join the coop once they satisfy the membership criteria.
The site has indoor space but please dress for the outdoors. Please bring a packed lunch or food to share.
At the Hornbeam Centre, Walthamstow, E17 9AH: Play a key part in our food distribution work by volunteering; packing for the box scheme, serving on the stall, helping with publicity, cycling our trailer delivery, helping in the Hornbeam cafe and more.
Why Voluntary Roles? Organiclea’s aim is to be a community enterprise that funds itself – while strengthening the local community too. At the moment, our work at the Hornbeam Centre is partly funded by Big Lottery money called “making local food work”. This won’t last forever, and what will make our services sustainable is a range of different involvement – not just paid workers. Your time will be supported and there will be an opportunity to identify particular skills you would like to develop during your volunteering time with us.
Email info[at]organiclea.org.uk or call 020 8558 6880 for more information about volunteering. Ask for Nicole David (for Hawkwood volunteering) and Rebecca Tully (for Hornbeam Centre opportunities).
