Volunteering at Great Chalfield Manor

Flower border beside a stone path with the Well Court behind at Great Chalfield Manor, Wiltshire — Flower border at Great Chalfield Manor | © National Trust Images/Carole Drake

When Jennifer Connor decided it was time for a career change, she wanted to find a place to hone her skills and so applied to become a garden volunteer at Great Chalfield for a summer – but then stayed on. Little did she know it would lay the groundwork for securing a place on the highly regarded Historic & Botanic Garden Training Programme. Find out more about Jennifer’s inspirational volunteering story.

Enacting a career change

It may sound naive, but I didn't even know volunteering at the National Trust was 'a thing'.

Having decided to change careers from marketing to horticulture, I was pursuing an RHS Level 2 Diploma and looking for somewhere to spend my summer, to apply what I'd been studying.

All I knew was that Great Chalfield was lovely, the team were lovely, and I knew I could learn a lot from them.

Lots to learn and lots to do

I quickly realised that not only was I right, there was far more to grasp than I originally thought.

Patsy had a talent for plant combinations, colour and texture, while Neil was a master of the practical side of gardening.

Suddenly, a summer seemed far too short. I wanted to witness all the seasons, and all the different activities that came with them.

And I'm so lucky that I did, because for the time that I gave to the gardens at Great Chalfield – it's given back to me tenfold.

The stable border in bloom at Great Chalfield Manor, Wiltshire — The stable border in bloom at Great Chalfield Manor | © National Trust Images/Carole Drake

Part of a team

Firstly, I was treated as part of the team from day one. Every task was explained and demonstrated.

I was also encouraged to explore areas that interested me, such as researching planting options for a new bed and different propagation techniques. They even trusted me to organise a volunteer outreach day.

The next step

Each day at Great Chalfield, I’ve increased my knowledge. Yet I didn't grasp just how much I'd learned until I applied for the Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (www.hbgtp.org.uk).

This national scheme offers two-year placements for 10 budding horticulturalists each year. Standards and competition are always high.

After a lengthy application process, practical assessments and interviews, I was overjoyed to be selected for a two-year placement at Stourhead.

I felt so privileged and fortunate to be able to continue my learning and also take another huge step towards my chosen career.