Role: Volunteer Gardener

Our community gardens are a preventative mental health and wellbeing service to support those affected by mental health issues in their recovery, by providing a range of activities which reduce isolation. The role will have a key role in supporting the Co-ordinator to deliver of this service by participating in service promotional activities and supporting participants with physical or learning difficulties to enjoy maintaining our outdoor therapeutic sites.

Reporting to: Sheds Project Co-ordinator

Hours: Flexible within sessions which are 10:30 to 14:30 Monday-Friday

Sites: High Hopes Community Garden (Monday and Thursday)
Sunlight GP Surgery Garden (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Otway Street (Tuesday and Friday)

Role duties

• Work closely with the Facilitator to support service users with special needs or physical difficulties.

• Help to ensure the sessions are delivered are set up to a good standard in advance with a range of activities, equipment is clean and facilities used are cleared down after daily use.

• Inform and liaise closely with the line manager regarding any concerns about the wellbeing or welfare of any person attending the sessions.

• Provide practical and personalised one to one support to community members, maintaining clear boundaries, to enable them to set and achieve their own goals towards improved health and wellbeing.

• Provide information and signposting to attendees for health, employment, housing, welfare advice, social care and other services in Medway.

• Assist with any events and fundraising activities to help Sunlight Development Trust.

To find out more, please email info@sunlighttrust.org.uk with ‘volunteer gardener’ in the subject line or call 01634 581511 and ask for Chris White.