Volunteer Stories

Claire's Story 

"I will always remember how much my time spent volunteering helped me turn things around for the better."

 In May 2010, I left my job as a lawyer and signed on to a one-year horticulture course at Capel Manor College. There, I saw an advert recruiting volunteers to Forty Hall Vineyard. I started coming here every week on Wednesdays and monthly on Sundays.

At that point, I was struggling with anorexia, which had taken control of my life. Each day had become incredibly painful mentally and physically, and I was struggling to find any sort of peace. Those few hours working outside in the vineyard with the other volunteers [were] like a saviour to me.

Being in the fresh air, doing physical work and having warm, inspirational people around gave me a glimmer of hope for the future. I started to see that my life could be different and, when I started my course at Capel Manor College later that year, I had begun to feel like I was part of life again and had a lot to look forward to.

It has been fantastic experience working on the vineyard, learning about grape growing in the UK and meeting such a diverse group of people.

On a practical level, I have received training in grape growing and wine making, which has been a great help in understanding the vineyard tasks. I’ve met Forty Hall’s winemaker and seen how he manages his own vineyard and the wine-making process.

Three years down the line, both my health and my career have made huge leaps forward. I feel incredibly lucky to have stumbled across my passion for viticulture and horticulture. After my Capel Manor course, I completed a placement at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, then found a job as assistant gardener on a private estate in Suffolk. From this, I got my current job as a gardener on a large private estate, assisting the owner to redevelop a four-acre walled garden and manage an established two-acre vineyard – the perfect combination! Three years ago when I started volunteering at Forty Hall Vineyard, I could never have imagined that I would be in this position now; embarking on an exciting project combining horticulture and viticulture.

Although I now live 50 miles away from Forty Hall Vineyard, I still try be involved as much as I can. I will always remember how much my time spent volunteering helped me turn things around for the better.

Ash's Story 

"Volunteering helps a great deal to lift my mood"

I have been volunteering at the vineyard for about two years, during which time I have been unemployed and trying to get back into work.

I suffer from depression, so volunteering helps a great deal to lift my mood. The regular routine, working outdoors, getting exercise and fresh air keeps my mind occupied. It helps me to socialise more, and improve my communication skills by working as part of a team with people from all different walks of life. It even creates possible job links.

 Simone's Story

"My sense of self worth has returned"

I had been a homemaker for 13 years and I was looking for a way back into work. I thought that volunteering could be it. Volunteering would bring rhythm and structure to my weeks as well as giving my life a purpose. My home had become a self-imposed prison and I was becoming depressed. I knew I had to get out of the house and do something productive. The vineyard was to be my saviour.

During the two years I have been at the vineyard, my confidence has grown. I have acquired many new skills, made new friends and seized new opportunities. I feel like a whole person again.

My sense of self worth has returned and I have even got back my old sense of humour, especially when the farm pigs decided to run amok among the vines!