Gary Rumens

David, a retired solicitor and lifelong gardener, volunteers on urban greening projects across Manchester. Working alongside him is Gary Rumens, 39, who came to volunteering after Covid furlough halted his retail career and pushed him to notice how little green space existed in the city centre.

Gary began by organising a small litter-picking group. That quickly grew into wider environmental work, including volunteering with the Plant Co-operative CIC and Clean & Green Castlefield, helping communities turn neglected urban spaces into biodiverse gardens.

When Gary and David first worked together, Gary assumed David's age and experience meant fixed views. The opposite proved true. David brought deep horticultural knowledge and patience; Gary introduced no-dig techniques, permaculture beds and a more experimental, nature-led approach. Each learned from the other.

This kind of intergenerational volunteering, where expertise flows both ways, has become central to Gary's work. Volunteers are encouraged to experiment, share skills and shape projects together. The result is stronger outcomes, greater confidence and a sense of shared ownership - a powerful reminder that experience and innovation work best when combined, not separated.

Today, Gary works for Plant Co-operative four days a week supporting city-centre gardening projects, teaching sustainable methods such as food growing, seed saving and pesticide-free gardening. He says, "Networking and volunteering did indeed help me land my ideal job".