VOLUNTEERING
Abundance Wimbledon have a trusty group of energetic and enthusiastic volunteers who ensure that as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible can be used either at local charities or via our cordial, chutney and jam makers. To find out more information or register your interest as a volunteer, please either complete the form below or email Juliet direct at abundancewimbledon@gmail.com The Details We are most active in the months of June-mid September which is the ripening season for an array of fruit and vegetables. We have regular volunteering opportunities available for:
As we are visiting people's private gardens, we must adhere to the following important guidelines: All volunteers must:
What does an Area Coordinator do? Area Coordinators (as the name suggests) look after a particular area in the (mainly) Merton area and coordinates the donations (from private gardens), picking and delivery of the fruit and vegetables. The Area Coordinators look after the following areas:
How the volunteering process works for pickers and delivery drivers:
Often, we receive notice of fruit ready for picking on one day and the donor requires it to be picked the next (and in a certain time frame). This means that we are really appreciative when our pickers and drivers can be either:
so that we can match the donations/picking with the pickers and drivers easily and on a timely basis. If you have not received advice about picking this season, please feel free to contact your Area Coordinator and chat about where and when the next pick is likely to be (if they know!). We are totally reliant on our donors advising us timings for picking that suit them, so it can be a juggling act getting everyone organised. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding. For Fruit Day Volunteers You will be contacted by the Fruit Day Coordinator prior to Fruit Day and, according to your interests, assigned to a stall or activity. What we achieved in 2019 Rescued Fruit To demonstrate the impact of our work, in 2019, we saved:
Distribution to local Charities Our delivery drivers who managed to deliver an incredible 577.5 kgs of the above fruit to local charities in 2019. In addition, from our proceeds from Fruit Day 2019, we made cash donations to local Charities of: £150 to Hillcross School to purchase fruit trees. £100 for Merton Park and Wimbledon Chase schools. £400 to the Food Bank £250 to the Drop In Centre £75 to the Wimbledon Guild £75 to the Merton and Morden Guild Over the last 9 years, Abundance Wimbledon has donated £4,545 in cash to local charities |