Green Connections Coordinator

Age UK; Crewe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity for older adults seeks a Green Connections Coordinator in Crewe. The role involves engaging individuals aged 50+, teaching gardening skills, organizing community activities, and connecting older adults with support services. Ideal candidates should have experience in community gardening and excellent organizational skills. This position offers opportunities to make a meaningful impact while enjoying flexible working conditions.

Benefits

Flexible working benefits

Qualifications

• Experience delivering community gardening or environmental initiatives.
• Experience planning and executing group sessions for engagement.
• Good physical health for lifting resources.

Responsibilities

• Support older people with gardening skills and interests.
• Promote partnerships with organizations working with older individuals.
• Update monitoring and evaluation systems accurately.

Skills

Community gardening experience

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Ability to work independently

Job description

'Green Connections' is an innovative project which supports older people in Crewe and Nantwich surrounding area to reconnect with nature in their yards and gardens, connect older and isolated individuals with wider support and local opportunities to help relieve social isolation and loneliness. It also provides group delivery sessions around gardening based activities in care homes and community settings.

This position involves actively engaging with people aged 50 plus who wish to connect to nature and learn more about their garden or gardening activities. You will be responsible for community engagement, organising resources, working with older people in their homes for tailored sessions and providing group delivery sessions in the community and care homes.

The Green Connections Coordinator role also involves actively engaging older people with services and support available, enhancing their quality of life. You will coordinate with other organisations and use their resources to secure additional support, always prioritising the consent and preferences of the clients. This role is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, offering vital support to those in need.

Responsibilities

• Support with teaching older people new gardening skills in attending to their planters and encourage new interests in wildlife and biodiversity.
• Promote and engage with the network of organisations that work with older people in and around Crewe and Nantwich to maintain and develop positive relationships and referral routes.
• Update monitoring and evaluation systems to accurately record project outcomes and volunteer information.
• Be the first point of contact for the project and build relationships with individuals, local agencies and groups.
• Assess individuals and their circumstances to understand suitability for the project.
• Work with older individuals in choosing an offer to suit their lifestyle, needs and wishes.
• Be responsible for connecting people into local advice and support.
• Link isolated older people with volunteer support.
• Train and support a core local volunteer team in doing light maintenance and planting in group sessions, gardens, yards and raised planters.
• Ensure appropriate resources are sourced.
• Assist the Service Manager in promoting/marketing the project.
• Provide group delivery sessions in Crewe and Nantwich within care settings and community groups.

Qualifications

• Experience of delivering community gardening or practical experience in environmental activities.
• Experience of organising initiatives and opportunities for community and volunteer involvement.
• Experience of planning and delivery of group sessions to support engagement and learning.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and also knowledge and experience of using a client database.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work on own initiative.
• Have use of a car and full driving licence and ability to travel in Crewe and Nantwich.
• To be in good physical health to allow lifting of resources and materials.

If you are passionate about driving success through effective management and teamwork, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity as Green Connections Coordinator where you will enjoy the flexible working benefits of working for Age UK Cheshire.