We’re excited to announce the results of our Community Orchard Volunteer of the Year Award 2025! 🎊
The aim was to highlight the amazing work happening at community orchards we have helped create or restore across the UK, and show our appreciation for the many volunteer hours that go into making community orchards such thriving, welcoming places for everyone to enjoy.
There were so many fantastic entries that it was extremely difficult to choose just one winner and a runner-up, but The Orchard Project staff team has voted….
🏆 WINNER: Genevieve has played a vital role in the maintenance and growth of Mitcham Orchard in London since 2019. Her dedication is evident across the space, where she has contributed to building and repairing essential structures, managing watering, and taking on the annual vegetable growing. She brings skill, energy and care to everything she does.
Beyond the physical upkeep of the orchard, Genevieve plays a vital role in nurturing the orchard community. She regularly organises social events for the volunteer team, helps deliver open days and seasonal events, and shares the orchard’s harvest by turning fruits and vegetables into delicious drinks, jams and preserves. Genevieve is also committed to the orchard’s environmental values and sustainable practices.
“Even through recent periods of ill health, she has continued to contribute with remarkable strength and resilience,” says Katie, who nominated her. “Without her, Mitcham Orchard would not be the welcoming, vibrant community hub that it is. Her efforts have shaped the land and the lives of those who spend time in it.”
🎁 RUNNER UP: Mary was been a driving force behind Hatcham Gardens, a well-used little park in a neglected corner of London, nestled between two busy roads. She’s instrumental in organising volunteer-powered watering sessions and works hard to galvanise community action.
Mary worked tirelessly with our London Project Manager Lewis to get the mini orchard up and running, and has been overseeing the fruit trees since they were planted earlier this year.
“She does a lot for our park community and deserves some recognition!” says Amy, who nominated her. Mary received two independent entries – she was also nominated by June.
A huge thankyou to everyone who put someone forward for this award. The winner will be receiving a selection of thyme plants from Hetty’s Herbs as a thankyou, with wildflower seeds for the runner-up.
Special mentions also go to:
Carolyn, who has taken initiative to keep a record of the 70 + trees at Gorbals Rose Garden Orchard in Glasgow and what needs done to each, mentor other volunteers in how to prune the trees, and is leading the way in expanding and constituting the group.
Shona and Sarah at Saughton Park in Edinburgh, who are always full of ideas and energy, really welcoming and highly enthusiastic to anyone interested to get involved. Their incredible dedication and creative endeavours bring a real buzz to the trained and wild orchards there.
Alona for the energy love dedication she pours into Mayow Park orchard, London and its community.
Annie, who works hard to look after Normand Croft Community School, London, all year round, tirelessly mulching and watering the trees and helping to prune them to keep them in shape.
Caroline, a really positive and incredibly hard working person who volunteers at Ladywell Fields in Lewisham, London.
Anne and the team at St Joseph’s, London, who work tirelessly to care for this 250+ veteran orchard and improve its wildlife habitats. It is not easily accessible, no water source and there is always lots to do, but they do it with aplomb and good cheer.
Amy, who took the skills she learnt from one of our workshops in Auldcathie District Park, Winchburgh, Scotland, to prune and care for our 2019 orchard projects in the village, which are now thriving.
David, who chairs the Friends of Inch Park group in Edinburgh, has played a key role in creating the orchard planted there earlier this year. He’s regularly wheeled barrows of water and carried watering cans round the park to keep the young trees watered and cared for during this very dry summer.
Victor, who has been helping to shape a new community orchard in Carrbridge, Scotland*, investing countless hours and leading improving the onsite infrastructure, which included topping the shed with a living roof.
*not an orchard we’ve been involved with, but the longer version of this was such a lovely nomination that we wanted to include him in the special mentions.