Garden Assistant

Garden Assistant

Posted for Scotswood Garden

Posted by Volunteer Centre Newcastle

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Volunteer Centre Newcastle website to express your interest.

Volunteering with: Growing Together gardening sessions. Leading small groups of our adult volunteers either in the garden or plant nursery, some of whom may have additional needs.

Responsibilities

• Support staff to prepare resources, plan and set up for sessions
• Lead small groups in garden tasks, teaching and demonstrating the task.
• Support participants to engage in activities during sessions.
• Safeguarding/health and safety, including following risk assessments.
• Support with providing refreshments
• Encourage participants to work with and interact with others.
• Helping to clear up after participants have left.

Skills development offered 

• In-house training when available
• Adults at Risk online Training

Support available 

• Reasonable vehicle mileage or public transport costs will be reimbursed
• Personal protective equipment will be supplied when needed
• A full induction to the site and role

Any other relevant information

You will be required to provide two referees and may be required to get a DBS check. Scotswood Garden will support with this and cover all costs.

We’re always looking for help with our community events and we may ask if you would be willing to get involved. There’s no obligation to do so, but this may be an additional activity for you to join in with.

Scotswood Garden operates comprehensive safeguarding and Health and Safety policies that all volunteers are required to adhere to

What skills do I need?

• Experience / knowledge of gardening / horticulture / conservation tasks.
• Interest / knowledge in natural world and/or permaculture
• Understanding of the health benefits of nature connectedness and therapeutic horticulture
• Able to meet/support people’s individual needs
• Patience and understanding with a commitment to being supportive and companionable.
• Flexibility - tasks may need to change and participant’s behaviour may be surprising or erratic.
• Reliability - for both staff and the participants, this is important for continuity and trust.
• Ability to explain tasks clearly and in simple ways.
• Prepared to work outdoors in most weather.
• Ability to observe professional boundaries and confidentiality in relation to working with adults at risk.