Gardening and Handyperson Supervisor

VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East); North Tyneside; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East) is seeking a Project Support to run gardening and handyperson activities for adults with learning disabilities/difficulties, acquired brain injuries or mental health needs. The role involves growing allotment produce, caring for small livestock, and maintaining domestic and commercial gardening contracts at our site in Benton, North Tyneside.

Winter duties include building maintenance, running repairs, decorating, and rectifying issues.

Qualifications

• Empathetic and supportive approach to work.
• Proactive and flexible mindset.
• Experience in horticultural and gardening work.
• Ability to support colleagues with activities as required.
• Competent handyperson/practical skills.

Responsibilities

• Support, educate and supervise service users in gardening and maintenance tasks.
• Utilise allotment area for growing fruits and vegetables and manage harvest use.
• Undertake commercial and domestic gardening work to raise funds for the charity.
• Ensure tools and equipment are well maintained and safely operated.
• Repair and maintain the building over winter.

Skills

Empathetic approach

Flexible mindset

Horticultural work

Handyperson skills

Driving license

IT literacy

Health and safety

Time management

Communication skills

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent

Role Type: Employment

Hours: Full time

Application deadline: Friday, September 25, 2026 - 09:00

Based: North Tyneside

Salary: £27,786 Per Annum

Salary Type: Fixed Salary

Location: Tyne and Wear

Role description: Project Support

We are seeking a flexible, motivated and empathetic individual to run gardening and handyperson activities alongside adults with learning disabilities/difficulties, acquired brain injuries or mental health needs.

The activities will take the form of growing allotment produce and looking after small livestock on out site in Benton. The role will also for ensure domestic and commercial gardening contracts are maintained. Over winter the role will undertake maintenance of our premises including running repairs, decorating and rectifying ongoing issues.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Support, educate and supervise service users in the safe completion of gardening and maintenance tasks
• Ensure that the allotment area is fully utilised with a focus on growing fruits and vegetables and ensuring the harvest is appropriately used
• Undertake commercial and domestic gardening work to help raise funds to support the charity while providing a real-work experience
• Ensure tools and equipment are well maintained and safely operated
• Repair and maintain our building over winter
• To actively promote the company with the objective of attracting new gardening contracts and outdoor projects
• Work flexibly as required across the Charity as necessary.
• Report any issues with service user welfare to a manager
• Ensure that service users are effectively engaged and supported by adapting activities to the abilities of the service user
• Maintain an effective awareness of the changing needs of service users and liaise with Managers to ensure Key Enterprises continue to deliver a high quality of support

The post holder should be prepared to undertake the appropriate training to enable them to fulfil the above duties or other duties consistent with the grade and be prepared to work flexibly by agreement where necessary.

Required Skills

• An empathetic supportive approach to work
• A proactive, flexible mindset
• Be suitably qualified and/or experienced in the undertaking of horticultural and gardening work
• An ability to work flexibly and support colleagues with activities as required
• Possess competent handyperson/practical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to adapt communication styles in a person-centred way
• A full, clean, driving licence and ability to drive a van competently
• Ability to work in adherence to all health and safety recommendations
• The ability to manage and prioritise your own workload effectively
• Competent use of IT

Desirable Skills

• Experience of working within a Mental Health or Learning Disability setting

To discuss this role, please contact Anthony Robinson, CEO on 0191 2701138 / 074538413409.