Therapeutic Gardening Volunteer

As a Community Garden Volunteer with Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC, you will play a vital role in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment where local people can connect with nature, improve their wellbeing, learn to grow vegetables and flowers using no dig organic methods and build meaningful relationships. Volunteers help care for the garden through activities such as planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and maintaining the space, while also supporting participants attending through social prescribing. Many participants may be experiencing isolation, mental health challenges, or long-term health conditions, and volunteers provide encouragement, companionship, and a friendly face to help everyone feel valued and included. We welcome volunteers of all abilities and will work with you to find a role that matches your interests, strengths, and experience, whether you enjoy practical gardening, meeting people, or helping with creative projects and community events.

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Benefits

Make a meaningful difference by helping improve health, wellbeing, and social connection within the local Whitehawk community. Develop new skills and confidence, including gardening, teamwork, communication, and supporting others in a community setting.

Improve your own wellbeing by spending time outdoors, staying active, meeting new people, and being part of a friendly and supportive team.

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Practical Considerations

No gardening experience is required; full induction, training, and ongoing support will be provided.Volunteers should wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear, as activities take place in all seasons.Reasonable adjustments can be made to ensure volunteering is accessible, and roles can be adapted to meet individual abilities and needs.This role may involve light physical activity such as walking, bending, lifting, and using basic gardening tools, but tasks can be tailored to suit.

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Support Disabled

Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC is committed to making our community garden welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. The garden is served by the No. 1 bus route, with a sloped pathway providing access from the bus stop to the site. Within the garden, we have accessible raised planters that enable wheelchair users and people with limited mobility to participate comfortably in gardening activities. When the weather is unsuitable, volunteers can make use of the indoor facilities at the Family Hub, providing a warm, accessible space for activities, social connection, and breaks. Volunteer roles are flexible and can be adapted to individual strengths, interests, and support needs, with tasks ranging from practical gardening to welcoming visitors, creative activities, or providing peer support. Our team offers a supportive and understanding environment, working with each volunteer to ensure they feel confident, included, and able to contribute in a way that suits them.

What skills do I need?

No previous gardening experience is necessary—just a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a desire to support others. We welcome volunteers of all abilities and backgrounds, and full guidance and support will be provided. We are looking for people who are friendly, reliable, respectful, and able to work as part of a team. An interest in no dig, organic gardening, community wellbeing, or supporting people is helpful but not essential. Most importantly, volunteers should be committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported.