Volunteer Gardener - Braintree Community Garden

Volunteer Centre Harlow; Braintree; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a community-driven initiative that connects individuals with nature through gardening. This role as a Volunteer Gardener at the Braintree Community Garden invites you to help create a welcoming space for vulnerable adults to learn and grow. You'll be part of a supportive team, engaging with participants of all abilities while fostering their mental and physical wellbeing. Enjoy the camaraderie of tea breaks and the joy of nurturing plants together. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community while developing new skills and friendships in a beautiful garden setting.

Benefits

Community engagement

Skill development

Social interaction

Qualifications

• No special skills required, we learn as we grow together.

Responsibilities

• Engage with participants in gardening activities every Thursday.
• Support vulnerable adults in a therapeutic horticulture environment.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Basic gardening knowledge

Job description

Volunteer Gardener - Braintree Community Garden

Our Down to Earth Community Garden helps build connections to nature through therapeutic horticulture and volunteering, where people learn and develop new skills to benefit their mental and physical wellbeing.

Our Down to Earth Community Garden project is based in Braintree (The Recreation Ground, CM7 9DZ). The garden is open to the public all the time, but we run specific groups for vulnerable adults every Thursday between 10 a.m. and Midday. Braintree District Council worked in partnership with Wilderness Foundation UK and Braintree Recreation CIO to create the community garden space. WFUK now has funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to run the Thursday sessions.

Participants cover a wide range of abilities including those living with a mental or physical disability, SEND and young people and adults with complex special needs. We hope to use the garden to engage recovery clients from charities such as Open Road and also for patients via social prescribing, for those dealing with long term/chronic illnesses.

Currently, the planting at the garden is mainly ornamental (and a work in progress!) but we are including sensory elements such as herbs and lavender to allow people to engage with the plants in many different ways.

There is always a break for tea and biscuits, as the social element of the garden is as important as the gardening work that we do.

Skills

No special skills required, we learn as we grow together.

When can I volunteer?

Available Days:

1. Monday: No
2. Tuesday: No
3. Wednesday: No
4. Thursday: Yes
5. Friday: No
6. Saturday: No
7. Sunday: No

Available Times:

1. Morning: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Thursday)
2. Afternoon: Not available
3. Evening: Not available

Location

The Recreation Ground
Braintree
CM7 9DZ