Wayv’s corporate volunteering in Sheffield took the team to Norton Nurseries on Friday 11 July 2025. Working with local social enterprise Food Works, employees cleared growing areas, repotted seedlings, planted seeds and cared for plants that support community food projects across the city.
Wayv’s volunteering day at a glance
- Date: Friday 11 July 2025.
- Location: Norton Nurseries, Sheffield.
- Community partner: Food Works.
- Team activities: clearing outdoor space, repotting seedlings, planting seeds, cleaning pots and watering plants.
- Community impact: plants and seedlings support Sheffield communities, local food projects and school growing programmes.
What is Norton Nurseries?
Norton Nurseries opened in 1983 to grow bedding plants for Sheffield’s parks and green spaces. After that use ended in the 1990s, much of the site remained dormant for decades. Food Works took on the nurseries in 2024 as part of its work to create a fairer, more sustainable food system.
The site provides 1,650 square metres of growing space. Although original systems such as irrigation and temperature control are no longer operating, the glasshouses and outdoor areas offer significant potential for community food growing.
How does Food Works use the site?
Food Works uses locally grown and surplus produce to support Sheffield communities. Norton Nurseries gives the social enterprise space to expand that work and collaborate with other local organisations.
Community enterprises using the site include Discovery Outdoors and Percy Street Collective CIC. During Wayv’s visit, the University of Sheffield was also using part of the site to study how different fertilisers affect strawberry growth.
What did the Wayv team do?
Wayv divided the team into two groups, with each group volunteering for half a day. The aim was to help Food Works move closer to getting the nurseries working at full capacity.
Employees cleared outdoor growing space, uncovered a network of pipes, repotted seedlings and planted a variety of seeds. They also cleaned pots and watered a large collection of plants during a particularly hot July day.
Who benefits from the plants?
Plants raised at Norton Nurseries support community growing projects across Sheffield. In May 2025, Food Works reported supporting 34 Sheffield schools and supplying plants through a partner serving a further 60 schools elsewhere.
Since the volunteering day, the site has completed its first productive year. Fruit, vegetables and herbs grown there now contribute to Food Works cafés, community markets and weekly food boxes. The nursery also raises seedlings and supports workshops that help more people grow food locally.
Why did Wayv choose Food Works?
Wayv wanted its team volunteering to support a local organisation with a direct impact across Sheffield. Food Works’ community-led approach, focus on sustainable food and work to restore Norton Nurseries made it a strong fit.
The site also offered practical activities that the whole team could contribute to, while helping Food Works develop growing space for schools and other community projects.
What did the team take away from the day?
At the end of each session, employees reflected on volunteering their time, working together and connecting with nature. The day combined practical community support with team building and gave employees a clearer view of Food Works’ impact across Sheffield.
Food Works also prevents waste by using surplus food and runs cafés, markets and growing programmes across the city. Visit Food Works to learn more, volunteer at Norton Nurseries or explore corporate volunteering opportunities.
