If you have a small working nursery nearby they are often eager for an extra pair of hands during the busy months, usually March - June. You can certainly learn a lot from the experienced staff there such as plant ID and growing techniques.
The Women's Farm and Garden Association has a work placement scheme that may be of interest as you receive the minimum wage rather than being an unpaid volunteer https://www.wfga.org.uk/wrags/
Thank you for all your suggestions. I've already registered my interest in the WRAGS scheme so waiting to see if a placement comes up, I'll chase in the New Year. I volunteer at Dorothy Clive gardens once a week which is really good experience and I'm now working at a garden centre two days a week. I'm also doing self employed gardening too. I'm currently doing some online training and hoping to do the RHS level 2 diploma in September, I'm waiting to see if I can do it for free under the new government retraining scheme.
Just to give you an update. I didn't do the RHS diploma in the end because it was ridiculously expensive however my Gardening business is going really well. I have 46 clients and have taken on someone to work for me. I'm hoping to continue growing the business by taking on more people and offering more services. I'm really enjoying it. The only tricky but is weather, illness, holiday and the Winter season. That being said, I'm still fully booked after finishing mowing for the year.
Well done, sounds as though you have found your vocation. Just a cautionary note, presumably you have public liability insurance? Absolutely a must have for anybody with a business.
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I've already registered my interest in the WRAGS scheme so waiting to see if a placement comes up, I'll chase in the New Year.
I volunteer at Dorothy Clive gardens once a week which is really good experience and I'm now working at a garden centre two days a week.
I'm also doing self employed gardening too.
I'm currently doing some online training and hoping to do the RHS level 2 diploma in September, I'm waiting to see if I can do it for free under the new government retraining scheme.