‘’My love for growing started when my Mum and Nana would take me to the garden centre. I always remember me and my mum sat weeding beds and watering at nighttime, when you get a warm evening after a hot day. That’s a lovely memory.’’ Tina, Grower
I started following Northern Roots on social media and realised they offered a volunteering programme. I liked what they were offering, that it was time on the land learning about growing, gaining woodland and ranger skills. My two kids have grown up so I though it’s time for me.
When you first start volunteering it’s just a good place to come one day a week. Then as time rolled on I thought to myself ‘I could really see myself working here’. I felt like I fit in with the staff and I liked how they roll.
I’ve applied for wildlife jobs over the years, but a lot say ‘it’s essential you have a degree’ and they won’t even look at you, even though I did two years at university.
But the Land Team recognised the skills I’d gained as a volunteer and what I’d already contributed. So when the Growing position came up, I applied and I was really happy to be successful in getting the role. I feel completely blessed to be here.
‘’When I was little we used to live on a council estate that had a cut through to a big field with a pond. I’d get my ID books and my little net and set off by myself to go pond dipping. That’s me in a nutshell really.” Tina, Grower
My role as a Grower is very varied. In Phase 1 there’s a lot going on with crops coming to fruition and fruiting, there’s lots of weeding and tending. I also work on the land and with the Citizen Rangers doing botany ID work, which uses some of my wildlife education skills from university. When we did pond dipping it all came flooding back, all the dragon flies and pond beetles and Latin names – ‘Dytiscus Marginalis’. I’m also looking forward to learning things that aren’t my specialty. It’s an open process, we’re all here to share ideas and skills.
The best thing about working at Northern Roots is the people. The work’s brilliant, but it’s the people that make it. Every contribution, however small it is, whatever your ability is, it’s welcomed and appreciated. As a work environment, I don’t think you can ask for anything better.
And I love that even though I’m a new member of staff, my opinion and my ideas are valued. That’s always a good way to feel.
Working at Northern Roots gives me hope. When you watch the news your heart sinks, you feel like you can’t do anything and you’re just this small person on a huge planet and you’ve got no control over anything. But here we’re creating good, local, nutritious food that makes people healthy and we’re increasing biodiversity.
When people visit Northern Roots, I’m hoping they feel passionate about something that maybe they knew a little about, and that they go away with a bit of hope that they can change the world in their own little way.
‘’I’ve said this phrase for a few years, that ‘I can’t change the world, but I can change my place in it’. And this is my place now.’’ Tina, Grower
Become a volunteer
Gain new skills, get outdoors and meet new people at Northern Roots.