About Us — Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group

Who Are We?

Heart, hands and community

We are a group which is made up of 100% volunteers working to restore and maintain the wonderful outside spaces within the Oldway Mansion grounds.

Formed in September 2019 after Torbay Council ended their maintenance contract for the gardens due to lack of funds, we stepped in immediately to prevent these historic grounds from falling into disrepair.

In November 2021 we achieved full charity status — Charity Number 1196635 — a proud milestone that reflects the seriousness and dedication of our mission.

Our longer-term aim is to see the mansion itself restored for community use, and we actively advocate for this with every project we undertake.

Meet the Team Volunteer With Us

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Founded

September 2019

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Charity Status

November 2021

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Weekly Volunteers

Average 50 per week

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Hours Given

71,365+ volunteer hours

What We Do

Every task, every season

Our volunteers contribute across an enormous range of activities, making the grounds a place of beauty, history and community spirit throughout the entire year.

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Gardening & Grounds

Sustainable planting, weeding, grass cutting by hand, border edging, and maintaining flower beds — all year round.

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Tea Hut

Providing refreshments to visitors seven days a week. The proceeds fund plant purchases and garden improvements.

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Plant Stall

Selling plants three days a week, with all profits going directly back into the gardens and new planting projects.

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Guided Tours

Heritage and garden tours giving visitors a deep appreciation of Oldway's extraordinary history and significance.

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Litter Picking

Keeping the grounds immaculate and welcoming for all visitors, families and dog walkers every single week.

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Wildlife Habitat

Maintaining the pond, wildlife island, rockery, grotto and surrounding natural habitats for local biodiversity.

What We've Achieved

Proud milestones

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Gardens managed by Tim Eley and Pete Welsby using sustainable planting practices throughout the grounds.

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Benches throughout the grounds refurbished, cleaned and maintained on a weekly basis.

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Grass maintained using volunteer push mowers and hand-shearing techniques for a traditional finish.

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Tea hut replaced with a brand new facility including full electrical installation and 24/7 defibrillator access.

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Pond drained, cleared, repaired and restocked — including the creation of a dedicated wildlife island.

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Rockery cleared and replanted with sustainable plants appropriate to the historic garden setting.

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Flower beds on the main driveway fully reopened and replanted for seasonal colour and visual impact.

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Plant stall established and operating three days every week, raising funds for ongoing garden work.

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Heritage and garden tours offered regularly, celebrating the mansion's extraordinary history and architecture.

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Dog training sessions hosted in the grounds, bringing in the wider community and supporting ongoing care.

Join Us

Everyone is welcome

Our volunteer base is constantly growing. We recruit primarily through Facebook and our contact page, and we welcome people from all walks of life and all ages. Adjustments can always be made to accommodate varying physical abilities.

Whether you can offer one hour a week or one full day, whether you prefer physical gardening, chatting to visitors at the Tea Hut, or helping on the Plant Stall — there is always a role that suits you.

On average, we have 50 weekly volunteers contributing to the grounds. Every single person makes a real and visible difference.

Get In Touch Find Us on Facebook

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All Abilities Welcome

Our team includes people of all ages, backgrounds and physical abilities. We will always find the right task for you.

🌍 Over 1,600 Facebook members nationally and internationally

📅 Volunteering happens every week, every season

🤝 A warm, welcoming team who genuinely enjoy the work

In the Community

Roots run deep

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Local Primary Schools

We work with local primary schools on pollination projects, connecting young people with nature and horticulture.

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College Placements

College students undertake placements and projects with us, gaining real horticultural and conservation experience.

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Dog Training

Dog training sessions are hosted in the grounds, welcoming the wider Paignton community into this beautiful space.

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Facebook Community

Over 1,600 followers nationally and internationally — sharing our work with a passionate online audience.

Support Us

Every donation matters

All money received through the Tea Hut, Plant Stall and direct donations is used exclusively for the maintenance and improvement of the gardens. Nothing is wasted; everything goes back into the grounds.

Make a Bank Transfer

Donate directly to the Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group via bank transfer. Every penny helps.

Bank NatWest

Sort Code 56-00-05

Account 30841534

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Visit the Tea Hut

Buying a cup of tea or a scoop of ice cream directly supports the gardens. Come and say hello!

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Buy from the Plant Stall

Pick up beautiful plants to take home while funding new planting projects across the grounds.

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Give Your Time

The greatest gift you can give is your time. Join us as a volunteer.

Our Vision for Oldway Mansion

Beyond the gardens, our ultimate aim is to see Oldway Mansion itself restored and brought back into community use. This magnificent building deserves to live again — and we will continue to champion that cause alongside everything else we do.

Get Involved