Volunteering with West Kent Downs Countryside Trust

This community project links Sustainable Garden Solutions with the West Kent Downs Countryside Trust and their 110-acre landscape of restored countryside in the West Kent Downs, Kent. As we grew deeper into horticulture, our love of community and nature found a proper home here, starting with site visits to understand the work underway and growing into long-term, hands-on support.

Over time, we became regulars on volunteer days, learning first-hand about woodland conservation and habitat management. That relationship developed further when our Managing Director, Aidan, took a place on the board as a Trustee, and has since helped organise and deliver open work days, bringing time, expertise, resources and practical action to support the Trust’s goals.

Across these volunteer groups we’ve helped deliver tree planting and aftercare, removed invasive species as part of habitat restoration, managed tracks and paths for safer access and long-term site care, and created nature pools to enhance ecological value. We’ve also supported the ongoing care of rare ancient woodland and chalk grassland, work that has shaped how we think about biodiversity and long-term land management in our wider projects.

Support hasn’t only been on the ground. The team has also helped behind the scenes with wider practical needs including social media and website support, continuing to strengthen a cause that matters locally and nationally.