Volunteers

Although volunteering is unpaid work, it is an excellent way of making new friends while giving something back to society and making the world we all live in a better place.

We think you’ll love taking part at Croydon Ecology Centre. We have been running for 26 years and some of our first volunteers are still with us today, due to the satisfaction gained from their volunteering efforts at the Centre.

The work is very varied and some of it can be physically challenging, but the sense of achievement is huge. Obviously, we do take into account people’s ages and physical condition when selecting jobs for individuals and groups.

There is always something for everybody to do.

We have an Ecology Centre with schoolroom and various storage rooms, a wildlife sanctuary and an organically maintained old varieties’ orchard, where our two sheep, Ben & Harry, keep the grass under control.

We work on Tuesdays, Fridays and on the first and third Sundays of every month. We would be delighted to see you at any of these workdays. The camaraderie is very good, so do come along and see for yourself.

On Tuesdays and Fridays: We start at 10:30 and go on to 14:00.

On 1^st & 3^rd Sundays of every month, we start at 10:30 – 16:30 (April – September) and at 10:30 – 15:30 (October – March).

Please bring a packed lunch with you and gardening gloves that really protect your fingers.

Wear old clothes and comfortable walking shoes, trainers or work boots and dress according to the weather. Please do not wear flipflops or sandals as these do not protect your toes.

In hot, sunny weather please use sunblock and wear a hat or cap.

The Warden’s email address is: warden@heathfieldec.plus.com You may also reach her on 07919 652 723.

We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Heathfield.

How to get to Heathfield

By road: If coming by car it is best to look in your A to Z. If coming from Croydon, drive up Coombe Road (A212) past Lloyd Park, it then becomes Coombe Lane. Continue on past Coombe Gardens and Royal Russell School on the right, until you reach the corner of Ballards Way just before the traffic lights. Turn right into Ballards Way. Heathfield is immediately on your left. The main carpark is a little further along. Continue along Ballards Way, then take the first left into Riesco drive – the carpark is halfway along Riesco Drive on your left. Our postcode is CR0 5RH. Once arrived, take any of the right hand pathways down the slope and to the left. These will all lead you to a large Round Pond and a white-walled Mansion overlooking farm fields. This is Heathfield House. From there, follow the circular path down & around the main lawn until you arrive at our Centre Gate in the wall on your right, with our iconic sign on the door.

By tram: Heathfield is only four stops from East Croydon Station on the Number 3 Tram – direction New Addington. Alight at Coombe Lane stop. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and turn left. Walk along Coombe Lane towards the traffic lights where the tramline crosses the road, until you come to Ballards Way on the right. Heathfield is visible opposite you on the corner of Ballards Way and Coombe Road. The gate to Heathfield Gardens is signposted about 5 metres beyond the red post-box on the corner. Enter the Gardens and follow the drive down until you reach a large mansion overlooking farm fields below. This is Heathfield House. From there, follow the circular path down & around the main lawn until you arrive at our Centre Gate in the wall on your right, with our iconic sign on the door.

By bus:  Bus no. 130 & bus no. 466 from Croydon both stop at the top of Shirley Hills Road (just past Bishop’s Walk on right). Alight there, cross the road and walk around the corner to your right. Cross the road again at the traffic lights, walk along the small stretch of pavement until you reach the corner of Ballards Way. Heathfield is visible on the corner of Ballards Way and Coombe lane. From there, follow directions as in “By Tram” above.