How Volunteers Shape the National Allotment Society

Our Management Committee is entirely volunteer-led, and all
11 Regional Representatives are volunteers, alongside our President and Chairman. Their dedication ensures that allotment growers are represented at a local and national level, with real insight and lived experience shaping everything we do.

But their involvement goes even further. Across the organisation, volunteers also serve as Deputy Representatives, Secretaries, Finance Officers, and communications and social media support, along with many other roles. Each role, whether strategic or operational, plays a vital part in keeping NAS running effectively.

Simply put, we couldn’t do it without them.

To every volunteer across the National Allotment Society — and the wider allotment community — thank you for everything you do.

While volunteers give their time to support others, the benefits to them are equally significant — and well evidenced.

Research from the Royal Voluntary Service shows that around 9 in 10 volunteers report improved wellbeing , while NCVO research has found that volunteering is strongly linked with higher life satisfaction and reduced feelings of loneliness. Other studies suggest that regular volunteering can be associated with improved mental wellbeing comparable to the effects of regular exercise or strong social relationships.

For NAS volunteers, these benefits are often enhanced by a shared passion for allotments, gardening, and community growing.

Common benefits include:

• Improved mental wellbeing and reduced stress
• A sense of purpose and achievement
• Opportunities to learn new skills and gain experience
• Social connection and reduced isolation
• Increased confidence and leadership experience
• The satisfaction of making a tangible difference

Beyond wellbeing, volunteering can also support personal development. Research from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
highlights that volunteers often gain transferable skills in communication, organisation, leadership, and teamwork — all valuable in both personal and professional life.

Volunteering within NAS also offers the opportunity to influence real change in the allotment movement at both local and national level.

The impact of NAS volunteers can be seen across the organisation and the wider allotment community.

They have helped to:

• Support and protect allotment sites under threat of loss or redevelopment
• Strengthen national awareness of allotments through campaigns such as National Allotments Week
• Grow the reach and influence of the National Allotment Society across the UK
• Provide guidance and support to local allotment associations and councils
• Contribute to consultations and policy discussions affecting allotment provision
• Share knowledge, best practice, and lived experience to improve site management
• Promote allotments as vital spaces for wellbeing, biodiversity, and community connection

Much of what NAS has achieved in recent years has been made possible through the dedication, insight, and time of volunteers working at every level of the organisation.

Getting involved

Volunteering with the National Allotment Society can take many forms, and there is no single way to contribute.

Some people take on formal roles such as regional representatives or committee members. Others support communications, events, or local engagement. Many simply offer occasional time, advice, or assistance when needed.

However you choose to get involved, every contribution matters.

You can volunteer:

• A few hours a year or on a regular basis
• Behind the scenes or in a visible role
• Locally within your region or at national level
• In a governance, administrative, or communications capacity
• Or simply by sharing your experience and supporting others in the allotment community

Whether big or small, every act of volunteering helps strengthen allotments and the communities that rely on them.

If you’re interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you.

If you would like to find out more, please get in touch with us via the volunteer enquiry form on our website. You can simply complete your details, indicate the type of volunteering you are interested in, and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss suitable opportunities. If you are already a NAS member, please include your membership number so we can better support your enquiry.

We welcome interest from across the UK and are always happy to have an informal conversation about how your time and skills could support the Society and the wider allotment movement.

Volunteer Here

Volunteers are the foundation of the National Allotment Society and the wider allotment movement. Their time, knowledge, and commitment ensure that allotments are supported, represented, and protected at every level — from local sites to national decision-making. Whether through governance, events, advocacy, or simply sharing their experience, volunteers help keep allotments thriving for current and future generations. As we mark Volunteering Week, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who gives their time, energy, and passion to this work — your contribution makes a real and lasting difference.

If you would like to volunteer with NAS, we would be delighted to hear from you — there are opportunities to suit all levels of time, experience, and involvement, and every contribution is valued.