Make meaningful impact in a game changing project.
Jobs
Northern Roots is a small, friendly and inclusive team that prioritizes connection to nature and each other. As the project grows, so will our team.
The best way to hear about new opportunities is through our newsletter, where we share jobs, volunteering, family-friendly events, creative workshops and more. Sign up here.
Interpretation Consultancy at Northern Roots
We’re seeking an interpretation specialist or agency to help shape the heritage storytelling at Northern Roots, across physical, digital, and public experiences.
The ideal candidate will have experience working in partnership with communities to co-produce heritage and site interpretation of all types, and have experience working with built, intangible and natural heritage.
You will develop an engaging Interpretation Strategy that supports the opening of our £12m Visitor Centre in summer 2026.
Contract Length: 5 months, October 2025 to February 2026
Budget: £15,000 including expenses
Application Deadline: Submit your proposal to info@northern-roots.uk by Monday 8th September at 12 midnight.
Please download and read the brief for full details on how to apply.
If you would like to discuss this brief prior to submission, please contact Northern Roots at info@northern-roots.uk to arrange a chat.
Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Urban Farm Call Out for Potential Businesses
A core object for the Northern Roots charity is to support new and existing businesses and social enterprises to set up and flourish from the Northern Roots site.
In 2026 we’ll open as a visitor destination and community hub, with a brand new Visitor Centre with café, shop, production kitchen and classrooms, a Forestry Skills Centre, and an additional four acres of Urban Farm.
We’re looking for experienced organic growers that specialise in field growing cut flowers, medicinal, scent or dye plants or other specialist crops to utilise the growing space directly in front of our Visitor Centre. As part of our Northern Roots business network, you can receive support with business planning, strategy, market research and marketing.
Application Deadline: Email a completed Expression of Interest Form to info@northern-roots.uk by 12 midnight on Friday 3rd October 2025.
Volunteering
Volunteers make a valuable contribution to the development of Northern Roots, and we are grateful for the hard work, enthusiasm and support of everyone who volunteers with us. We offer a variety of volunteering opportunities from short Community Litter Picks to our Urban Farm and Environmental volunteering programme.
Our team of Northern Roots staff and existing volunteers are a friendly and inclusive group, so if you join our volunteering programme, you’ll get a warm welcome.
Northern Roots Urban Farm and Environmental volunteers can get involved in sowing, harvesting, composting, weeding, mulching and creating no dig beds in our Phase 1 Urban Farm. You can support the conservation of 160-acres of woodland, meadows and ponds through path maintenance and habitat creation, or learn new skills such as woodworking and landscaping with our experienced Land Team. No previous experience required, simply a passion for nature and learning.
Applications for the Northern Roots Urban Farm and Environmental Volunteering spring 2025 intake are now closed. We will be re-opening applications in autumn 2025. We may offer shorter volunteering opportunities in the meantime, so make sure to follow our social media or sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date.
In future we’ll expand our volunteering offer to include opportunities to support Northern Roots events, tours and our schools programme.
What our volunteers say…
“l’ve learned how to plant garlic, which has reignited by passion for growing food. I don’t usually grow anything over the winter, but this has made me think actually, I could grow stuff in winter as well. Volunteering is also a bit of respite because I’m a carer for one of my kids. This helps give me a good break.” Flora, Urban Farm and Environmental Volunteer
“I wanted to join this year and it’s been great. I’ve enjoyed it. The people have been brilliant, staff are nice, everything’s brilliant.” John, Urban Farm and Environmental Volunteer
“I’ve learned teamwork, planting, mulching, weeding, planting hedges, and I’m hoping to learn woodwork.” Gill, Urban Farm and Environmental Volunteer
“I’ve recommended volunteering at Northern Roots it to many people. I keep badgering them to come. The first thing I talk about is the size of the project, how big it is, the plans and the vision. It’s absolutely amazing for an industrial town like Oldham to have a project like this right in the middle of it. So I tell people about how it’s world leading, the first of its kind in the UK.” Simon, Urban Farm and Environmental Volunteer turned Northern Roots Community Grower and Ranger
If you are interested in corporate volunteering or a Corporate Away Day, please email info@northern-roots.uk for more information.