911±¬ÁÏ

911±¬ÁÏ New Shoots FAQs

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about 911±¬ÁÏ New Shoots

FAQs for Volunteering

How can I apply?
Applications are submitted online. Head to www.rhs.org.uk/newshoots and click the link on the volunteering page to see which opportunities are available and to apply. The online form will take you through all the steps you need to complete. Make sure you include why you are passionate about horticulture and volunteering at the 911±¬ÁÏ.
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
We offer different volunteering projects for different age groups depending on the garden you wish to apply for. Some volunteering roles are available from 14 plus, whilst others are tailored to those aged 21 plus. Please check out the role descriptions on the volunteering portal for details of what age group each project is designed for.
How do I get to your gardens?
Both 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Wisley and 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Bridgewater operate shuttle buses at certain times of the year. Please advise us on your application if travel is a concern, as we may be able to offer additional support in certain circumstances. Our gardens are also easily accessed by car.
Volunteers are able to claim travel expenses to support their travel to 911±¬ÁÏ Gardens. Details will be provided if you are offered a volunteering position.
What do I need to wear?
Volunteers are provided with a polo top, hoodie, coat and safety boots. You will need to wear your own trousers/shorts etc., which should be smart casual and comfortable for the time of the year. You will also be provided with gloves.
Will I get paid to volunteer?
You will not get paid as this is a voluntary role. However, you will be able to claim travel expenses and your volunteer pass will provide you with discount on food and drink in our food outlets and in our Plant Centre and gift shop.
 
What activities will I be doing?

You will undertake practical horticultural tasks, around our 911±¬ÁÏ Gardens, and learn new skills. Activities will depend on the time of year, and which garden you volunteer at, but will include propagation, planting and maintaining visitor facing areas in our gardens.

What are the benefits of volunteering at an 911±¬ÁÏ Garden?
By volunteering at an 911±¬ÁÏ Garden you will:
  • Learn new skills
  • Meet like-minded people
  • Understand potential career options
  • Meet professional horticulturists
  • Increase your confidence
  • Develop team working skills
  • Enjoy the benefits of spending time outdoors and in nature
  • Be able to enhance your CV
Will I be interviewed?
Successful applicants will be invited to an informal interview. This is more of an informal chat to make sure the role is right for you and to give you the opportunity to find out more before committing to volunteering.
How long does volunteering last?
Duration depends on the programme. Our Green Skills programme lasts for one-year maximumm, whereas our horticultural volunteers are permanent volunteers, which means you can continue to volunteer until you resign, move onto other volunteering roles or the programme comes to a close.
Who should I contact to find out more?
[email protected]

FAQs for Taster Days

What will I do on a taster day?
Activities vary throughout the seasons, but generally start with a tour of the garden followed by a hands-on activity. Example activities could include sowing seeds, taking cuttings, potting on, planting established plants in the ground, removing existing plants and preparing the ground for new planting schemes, or collecting and saving plants for future research in our Herbarium (an archive of plants).
How can I register?
All Taster Sessions can be booked on our New Shoots eventbrite listings page. To keep up to date with when Taster Sessions become available you can follow the eventbrite page to receive notifications. Click to head to the 911±¬ÁÏ New Shoots eventbrite page.
How long does a taster day last?
Taster days usually start at 9.45am and end at 2pm. The specific timings will be included as part of each event description.
What age do I need to be to attend?
Most Taster Sessions are open to attendees from 16 years of age and above. Please check individual event details for any specific age groups the event is designed for.
What do I need to bring on the day?
You will need to wear practical clothing, and closed-toe footwear suitable for the time of the year. Make sure you wear warm clothing in the cooler months, and be prepared for rain all year round, as you may be spending some time outdoors. For certain activities you will need safety boots and gloves, which will be provided for you to use on the day. 
 
How do I get to the Taster Session?

Both 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Wisley and 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Bridgewater operate shuttle buses at certain times of the year. Please advise us when registering if travel is a concern, as we may be able to offer additional support in certain circumstances. 

Our gardens are easily accessed by car.  

When do taster days take place?
Taster sessions take place throughout the year and specific dates will be advertised via the 911±¬ÁÏ New Shoots Eventbrite page.
Who should attend a taster day?
If you are thinking about what career to choose when you finish formal education or are considering a career change and have a passion for plants and/or the outdoors, then a taster session is a great opportunity for you to get an insight into horticultural careers. If you are interested in first volunteering in horticulture as a step towards employment, a taster session is also a good opportunity to discover what roles could be available. Most taster sessions are designed for a range of ages from 16 plus.
Is there a cost attached to attending?
The only cost to attending a taster session is your travel to and from the 911±¬ÁÏ Garden you choose to attend a taster session at. If you believe this would be a barrier to you being able to attend, please contact [email protected] to discuss what options may be available.  
How will I benefit from attending a taster event?
A taster session will give you the opportunity to gain an insight into different horticultural careers, the range of employers and practically what working in horticulture can involve. It will also give you information on routes into horticulture via education/qualifications and volunteering. It will also be an opportunity to meet like-minded people who have a passion for plants and/or the outdoors.
What should I do if I’ve booked a place and no longer able to attend?
Please cancel your ticket via eventbrite. If you have technical issues meaning you are not able to cancel your ticket, please contact [email protected] to let us know.
Can I bring a guest?
Guests will need to purchase a ticket to the Garden if they do not wish to take part in the taster session. If they want to find out more about horticultural careers as well, please either book them a separate taster session ticket or ask them to register themselves. If you require a carer to support you during the taster session, they do not need to book a ticket, however please e-mail their name and advise they will be acting as your carer at [email protected].
Who should I contact to find out more?
[email protected] 
Can I bring a carer?
Yes – you do not need to book a separate ticket for a carer. Once you have booked a ticket for yourself, please contact [email protected] to provide the name of your carer and to also advise of any reasonable adjustments we should be aware of.
 

FAQs about Work Experience

How can I apply?
Applications are submitted online. Head to www.rhs.org.uk/newshoots and click the link to register interest for work experience. The online form will take you through all the steps you need to complete. Make sure you include your school’s details, and why you are passionate about carrying out your work experience at the 911±¬ÁÏ and within your preferred team. 
How do I get to your gardens?
Our gardens are easily accessed by car.
Both 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Wisley and 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Bridgewater operate shuttle buses at certain times of the year. Please advise us on your application if travel is a concern, as we may be able to offer additional support in certain circumstances. 
For how long can I come and do work experience?
Work experience can last from a few days to a full week on a Monday to Friday basis.
What does my school or college need to provide?
We will need contact details of a responsible person (e.g. a teacher or careers mentor) who can be our link at your school. Your school will also need to supply us with any forms that they require to approve your placement with us. We will only be able to progress your application if your school details are provided. 
What do I need to bring or wear on the day?

You will need to wear plain, practical clothing, and closed-toe footwear suitable for the time of the year. If you spend time in our Gardening, Retail or Visitor Services teams, you should make sure you wear warm clothing in the cooler months, and be prepared for rain all year round, as you may be spending a large amount of time outdoors. For certain roles you will need safety boots and gloves, which will be provided for you to use for the duration of your placement.

Please bring a re-fillable water bottle to make sure you stay hydrated. Although there will be food available to purchase, you may wish to bring your own lunch.
 

Will I get paid during work experience?
Work experience is unpaid.
Can I choose which team I work with?
You can express a specific interest in one of our teams during your application, however we cannot guarantee that your chosen team will be able to host, and you may be offered a placement in an alternative team.
Could my placement be with different teams during the week?
At 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Wisley you will spend your work experience placement with one specific team. At 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Bridgewater you will rotate through a few different teams during your placement, depedning on the option you choose at the point of your application.
What will I be doing on a daily basis?
Activities will vary depending on the team you are with. You could be helping to water our plant collections, harvest vegetables from our edible garden for our restaurant, welcome visitors to our gardens or help merchandise houseplants in our gift centre. If you are with Science at  911±¬ÁÏ Garden Wisley you could be collecting samples for our herbarium or maintaining our entomology (insect) collections.
Will I get a lunch break?
You will get an hour lunch break each day during your placement.  
What could I do once my work experience has ended?
You could apply for an apprentice scheme if you are aged 16 and above. You could study a level 2 principles of Horticulture qualification at college of part-time, or you could explore young persons Horticultural volunteering opportunities.
What other opportunities do you provide to gain experience?
We offer a variety of young people volunteering opportunities in our gardens. To find out what opportunities are available and how and when to apply, visit our New Shoots volunteering page. We also offer horticultural internships, which are available from age 16 plus – visit the Internships page for more information.

FAQs for T-Levels

For which T-Level do you offer industry placements?
Currently, only the T-Level Agriculture, Land Management and Production lists the horticultural sector as a suitable industry for placements. 
How do I get to your sites?
Our sites are easily accessed by car. At both 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Wisley and 911±¬ÁÏ Garden Bridgewater, shuttle buses operate at certain times of the year. If you think travel may be a barrier to you being able to carry out your placement at either of our gardens, please let us know, as we may be able to offer support in certain circumstances. 
Will I need a uniform?
You will need to wear plain, practical clothing, and closed-toe footwear, suitable for the time of the year, so make sure you wear warm clothing in the cooler months, and be prepared for rain all year round, as you may be spending a large amount of time outdoors. For certain tasks you will need safety boots and gloves, which will be provided for you to use for the duration of your placement. 
What kind of work would a typical T-Level placement cover?

T-Level students will work with one of the Curatorial teams (i.e. the gardening teams) at either 911±¬ÁÏ Wisley or 911±¬ÁÏ Bridgewater, so depending on which team you are working with, you could be planting for seasonal interest, maintaining important plant collections, working with tropical plants in a greenhouse, or looking after the many tree specimen on site, among many other options.  

We will work together with you and your course provider to ensure your placement covers a good variety of skills and insights into the horticultural industries. 

FAQs for Internship

What is the difference between an internship and work experience placement?
An internship lasts longer than a work experience placement. You can choose to gain 30 days experience either one day per week, or in a six-week block Monday–Friday. 
What are the benefits of doing an 911±¬ÁÏ Internship?

You will gain the experience of seasonal Horticultural tasks alongside our expert teams as well as receive mentorship from the New Shoots team on your next steps into a Horticultural career. You will receive uniform and be paid the appropriate statutory minimum hourly wage to support you attending the internship.  

How long does the internship last?
30 days as either one day per week, or a block of six weeks split into one week during Summer half-term, four weeks during summer holidays and one week during October half term.
When can the internship start?

From late March.

What will I do during the internship?
You will carry out seasonal Horticultural practical tasks alongside our teams, receive regular mentorship from our New Shoots team and prepare a presentation on Horticultural careers using insight gained from our experts and collections.
Do I get paid?
You will receive appropriate statutory minimum hourly wage for a total of 5.5 hours per day (the day includes an hour unpaid lunch break).
Are there any entry requirements?
The only entrance requirement is a clear and demonstrable passion for plants, the environment and outdoors, and for pursuing a career in horticulture. You will not be eligible if you already have achieved a Level 2 or above Horticultural qualification, although you will be eligible if you are currently working towards a Level 2.
How do I apply?
Online at www.rhs.org.uk/newshoots  
What will the 911±¬ÁÏ look for in my application?

A clear passion and motivation for plants, the environment and outdoors and pursuing a career in horticulture. We also expect you to consider why this is important to you to support a Horticultural career and express why an 911±¬ÁÏ internship specifically is the right pathway for you. 

Will I be interviewed?
Yes, successful applicants will be interviewed. If you are successful in the interview you will be offered a placement.
If successful, how will my placement be confirmed?
By e-mail.
What happens if I want to shorten or extend the internship?
We expect all applicants to commit to completing the duration of the internship. However, we understand that life is not always straightforward and therefore expect you to discuss shortening your internship with your supervisor at the earliest opportunity, explaining clearly why. Unfortunately, we are unable to extend internships, but we can discuss next steps in your career.
What could I do once the internship has ended?
You could apply to become an apprentice, volunteer or pursue a Horticultural qualification full, or part, time.
What other opportunities do you provide to gain experience?
We offer a limited number of voluntary (unpaid) work experience placements of up to a week. We also have volunteering opportunities and current volunteering vacancies can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer.

Contact us

For more information or if you have a question, please get in touch with the New Shoots team. 

Speak to the team

Email: [email protected]

See the range of options on offer

Browse our programmes

Learn about the initiative to promote horticultural careers

What is New Shoots?

911±¬ÁÏ

911±¬ÁÏ is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.