Trainee - Acorn Farm (ID358)

TCV Partnership; Derry/Londonderry; Hybrid; GBP 12,000 - 16,000; Full time

Job summary

The Conservation Volunteers is seeking a horticulture apprentice to support the Acorn Farm project in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. The role is fixed-term until 30 September 2027, with learning and skills development as the focus during winter and spring 2027 and involvement in community education activities in summer 2027.

Responsibilities span greenhouse preparation, plant propagation, maintenance of tropical plants, welcoming the public, and running learning events for

Responsibilities

• a) Support the Acorn Farm team in the development and commissioning of the new facility.
• b) Preparation of greenhouses, beds and planters for the growing season.
• c) Growing vegetable plants from seed, planting out and caring for them.
• d) Helping to plant and maintain a range of tropical fruit plants in the main dome.
• e) Learning the daily maintenance of greenhouse plants including watering and ventilation.
• f) Helping to welcome the public to the Acorn Farm.
• g) Helping to run learning events for visiting school and community groups.
• h) Delivering practical horticultural projects and helping to lead volunteers.
• i) Assisting in the planning of projects, including helping to prepare materials and tools.
• j) Learning about and maintaining good standards of health and safety.
• k) Attend training sessions to learn about horticulture and gardening.

Job description

Contract Type: Fixed term until 30/09/2027

Apply by 11th November 2026

About the role

TCV is a partner in The Acorn Farm which is a major project helping to build a more sustainable food system in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

This post is funded on a fixed-term basis until 30 September 2027 and provides opportunities for learning and skills development to support the opening phase of the Acorn Farm at St Columbs Park. The Acorn Farm is a new flagship site to promote sustainable food growing and is nearing completion of the construction phase at a cost of about 6 million pounds. The Acorn Farm includes a range of green houses and growing beds across a two-acre site. The apprentice will help with the initial development of the site during winter/spring 2027 and then support a programme of community involvement, learning and education activities at the Acorn Farm during summer 2027.

The apprentice will be involved in a wide range of horticultural and activities including:

• a) Support the Acorn Farm team in the development and commissioning of the new facility.
• b) Preparation of greenhouses, beds and planters for the growing season.
• c) Growing vegetable plants from seed, planting out and caring for them.
• d) Helping to plant and maintain a range of tropical fruit plants in the main dome.
• e) Learning the daily maintenance of green house plants including watering and ventilation.
• f) Helping to welcome the public to the Acorn Farm.
• g) Helping to run learning events for visiting school and community groups.
• h) Delivering practical horticultural projects and helping to lead volunteers.
• i) Assisting in the planning of projects, including helping to prepare materials and tools.
• j) Learning about and maintaining good standards of health and safety.
• k) Attend training sessions to learn about horticulture and gardening.

Experience

This is a temporary role to give work experience in horticulture and no special experience is required, however applicants need to show how the role will help advance their career in this sector, so experience in horticulture and growing plants or vegetables growing is helpful, as well as experience of working with volunteers and the public.

To fulfil the role, you must be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

Safeguarding

TCV is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of children and adults at risk. All employees are expected to follow TCV's Safeguarding Policy, complete mandatory safeguarding training, and promptly report any concerns. Safeguarding is a core part of working safely and responsibly at TCV.

A bit more about us

We are The Conservation Volunteers.

Our vision is Better Nature For All.

Our mission is to connect people together to protect and restore nature, delivering lasting benefits for both

Since 1959, The Conservation Volunteers has been a charity creating opportunities for people to create, improve and care for nature in the green spaces around them across the UK. Our variety of projects cover a bit of everything involving nature. Volunteers muddy their boots in parks, community gardens, woodland, sites of special scientific interest, nature reserves, schools and hospital grounds, helping create a glorious network of protected green space across the UK. This work connects people with nature, and that connection delivers powerful results.

Interviews will be held on 17 November 2026 at our Derry office.

Occasionally, we receive a large number of responses to our advertisements. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date (11th November 2026), please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Thank you for your interest in TCV.

To better understand who is applying for and obtaining roles at TCV, please complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. You can download this in either PDF or Word format. This information is crucial for identifying and eliminating barriers that may prevent people from joining us. Rest assured, this data will not be part of your application evaluation.

Our goal is to create a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone's individuality is recognised and valued. We believe that embracing diversity helps us achieve our goals more effectively. We welcome applications from all individuals who wish to be part of our future, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we offer interviews to all applicants who have a disability, impairment or mental or physical health condition who meet the minimum criteria for the job. We provide reasonable adjustments and are committed to having an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

If you wish to be considered under this scheme, you will be considered.

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We recognise that candidates may use AI tools to support their application, for example to help structure or edit written responses or as an accessibility aid. TCV does not prohibit appropriate use of AI for these purposes. However, the information you submit should accurately reflect your own experience, skills and understanding.

During interviews and other assessments, we expect candidates to respond independently without the use of AI tools, unless its use has been agreed as a reasonable adjustment.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If you would like to discuss your requirements further please contact the People Team via email or by telephone on 01302 388883. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Any employment with TCV will be subject to the following checks prior to your start date:

• a satisfactory police record check to include an Access NI check
• receipt of satisfactory references
• proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role

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Registered Office: Gresley House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster DN4 5HX