InFocus Charity is seeking enthusiastic volunteers with a passion for gardening to assist in the upkeep of its 10-acre Outdoor Learning Centre near Ottery St Mary.

The horticultural initiative, now celebrating its sixth year, serves as a vibrant, sensory-rich environment where young people with visual impairments and other complex needs, both from InFocus Charity and other organisations, can actively engage with nature and gain valuable skills.

Thanks to the dedication of its volunteers, the West Hill project has undergone a remarkable transformation, boasting both ornamental and productive gardens, picturesque woodland and forest trails, a flourishing meadow, and various other spaces for communal enjoyment. The plants cultivated at West Hill are sold in the InFocus charity shops, while a bounty of homegrown vegetables supplies the nearby gastropub, The Jack in The Green.

As InFocus sets its sights on new ventures, the charity is now actively seeking additional volunteers to complement its current team of devoted gardeners.

Commenting on this initiative, Horticultural Project Manager, Patrick Phillips expressed, “We are in search of volunteers who share a love for nature and gardening, and who are eager to acquire new skills while contributing to the InFocus Charity community. We also extend a warm welcome to individuals skilled in carpentry and estate maintenance.”

For further information, please reach out to Patrick via email at pphillips@infocus-charity.org.uk.

We are in search of volunteers who share a love for nature and gardening, and who are eager to acquire new skills while contributing to the InFocus Charity community

Patrick Phillips, Horticultural Project Manager