Eden Project Thanks Volunteers with ‘Voluntine’s Day’ Breakfast Ahead of 25th Anniversary

Volunteers at the Eden Project were treated to a special “Voluntine’s Day” breakfast on February 13, 2026, as the charity began marking its 25th anniversary year.

Held on the Mediterranean Terrace, the breakfast brought together 40 past and present volunteers to recognise the vital role they play in supporting the educational charity and helping bring Eden to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The celebration is the first of a series of thank yous planned for more than 600 individuals who have volunteered at the site over the years.

“Volunteers are the glue”

Lorraine Tonkin, Head of Volunteering at the Eden Project, said:

“Volunteers are the glue that holds our communities together, so it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to thank some of our hard-working volunteers, who all play a part in making Eden what it is.

The charity sector is facing a widening volunteering crisis- as both a charity and an employer, we acknowledge that a rising number of employees are missing brilliant opportunities to put time offered by employers to good use, supporting causes they care about and benefiting from different experiences.”

In 2024 alone, more than 140 million hours of potential volunteering time went unused.

Lorraine continued:

“There is a growing movement towards more flexible volunteering, whether through occasional events, short-term projects or regular commitments. We want to inspire others to consider volunteering and challenge some of the common misconceptions about what volunteering looks like.”

How volunteers support Eden

Flexible volunteering at Eden allows people to give their time in ways that fit around their lives. Today, 80 regular volunteers support the organisation across a wide range of roles.

Opportunities include helping with parent and toddler sessions such as Little Eden and Music in the Med, supporting walking groups focused on health and wellbeing, and working in visitor-facing roles including buggy driving, stewarding and access support.

Behind the scenes, volunteers also work alongside the horticulture team. As “Wildflower Warriors” for Eden’s National Wildflower Centre, they help collect and prepare seed from wildflower meadows across the Eden Project site and Cornwall.

Volunteers are also involved in major annual events including the Eden Sessions and the Eden Project Marathon, as well as one-off filming opportunities such as BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow.

Rosie Rickard, one of Eden’s longest-serving volunteers, said:

“Volunteering at Eden is really enjoyable. Originally, I worked in Guiding and Plant Retail, and for many years in the Horticulture team, and, after retiring in 2014, it just felt natural to stay involved. It’s incredibly fulfilling – as well as supporting the Eden team, and in some roles enhancing the visitor experience, you have the opportunity to develop your own skills, interests and learning, make friends and have fun with like-minded people. Even just giving a day here and there makes you feel part of something really special.”

A wider push for community action

Encouraging people across the UK to get involved in their communities has been central to Eden’s charity mission since the beginning.

In 2009, it launched The Big Lunch, an annual celebration that brings neighbours together on the first weekend in June to share friendship, food and fun.

In December 2025, Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project, and Matt Hyde, Chair of The Big Help Out, hosted His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor Castle for a volunteering showcase during the State Visit of the Federal President of Germany. The event celebrated volunteers from more than a dozen charities and announced that The Big Lunch would join forces with The Big Help Out in 2026.

Led by the Eden Project and supported by the Pears Foundation, UK Government and Co-op, The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out will encourage people to take action in their communities between 5th and 8th June. The weekend is backed by charities across the UK, including Guide Dogs, RSPCA, Barnardos, RNLI and Citizens Advice.

Lindsey Brummit, Eden Project Programme Director responsible for The Big Lunch, said:

“There’s no better feeling than getting together with others, and making a positive change where you live, so we’re delighted to bring The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out together for one big do – it’s a chance to embrace community spirit in our villages, towns and cities this summer, and join millions of people taking part to meet, eat and lend a hand locally.”

Lorraine added:

“Volunteering sits at the heart of Eden’s mission to bring people together and strengthen communities. National initiatives such as The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out aim to make volunteering more accessible and visible to everyone.”

As the Eden Project heads into its 25th anniversary year, it is inviting more people to consider getting involved.

More information about volunteering opportunities is available at https://www.edenproject.com/work-at-eden/volunteer-at-eden