Join a diverse team of volunteers restoring and maintaining a historical park on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Perks of the job: sun-burns, sore muscles, dirty fingers nails and – sometimes – belly-pain from laughter.

About Wester-Amstel
Wester-Amstel is a 17th century mansion located on the borders of the river Amstel, between Amsterdam and Ouderkerk. Park and house are listed monuments. The house is surrounded by a string of beautiful gardens, each with its own style and character. The romantic park features amongst others, century-old avenues, a tea pavilion, an orchard of ´all generations´, a ´chicken palace´ and splendid vistas to the surrounding landscape. The park is open to the public. The park- and gardengroup of the ´Friends of Wester-Amstel´ is a well-organized team of 25 volunteers. They come from all walks of life, but share their enthusiasm for gardening and nature. The gardengroup focuses on the maintenance of the gardens, whereas the parkgroup conducts the more physically demanding activities in the park and gardens alike. Together they deliver a substantial contribution towards the careful restoration and maintenance of the oldest ´green monument´ of the Amsterdam country-side.

What the job is all about
The parkgroup looks for additional members to help with restoration and maintenance work. Parkgroup activities vary greatly by season, but include raking, pruning and cutting shrubs and trees, weeding, mowing and haying, and helping out with the more sturdier activities in the garden.

Requirements
You should be in – at least – reasonable physical shape. Garden experience is not required, but welcome. You should be willing to work with a mixture of Dutch- and non-Dutch speakers, mostly men. You should feel comfortable communicating in English. We strive for a diverse team, having another background than purely Dutch is a plus!

Rewards
You will experience Wester-Amstel, a haven of tranquility in the middle of Amsterdam. Working at Wester-Amstel is great fun and an excellent stress-relief after a hard week´s work. It also makes for a good alternative to the gym. You will be able to work and socialize with a diverse team. Wester-Amstel also offers plenty of quite spots to experience a ‘meditative moment’.

Time commitment
The parkgroup meet every Saturday from 10:00 to around 14:00. You are not expected to commit yourself to every Saturday, but a regular attendance is appreciated.

How to apply
First step is to get in touch with our parkgroup-co-ordinator for a chat. If there is a match, you are invited for a try-out on a saturday. After three try-outs, you are in!