Job Summary
With experience and passion for organic growing and working with vulnerable adults, you will support and empower our volunteer workers to achieve new heights, build their independence, their feeling of self-worth and sense of well-being. Your organised and practical skills will see you lead project delivery within our Care Farm and Community Garden, working collaboratively with empathy, kindness and patience.
By having a leadership role within our Care Farm, you will ensure the activities on the ground are productive, impactful and run smoothly for the benefit of the volunteer workers who attend and add value to Fordhall’s offer to the wider community, whilst supporting the wider team.
Working collaboratively with the staff team and the volunteer workers, you will lead and manage tasks/areas within the Care Farm including, but not exclusive to:
· Planting plans and garden design for the organic, permaculture-based community garden and other flower and growing beds onsite
· Site food composting (Riden hot composter)
· Garden compost toilet
· Woodworking and hard landscaping
· Public engagement within the community garden space
· Sheds and storage areas
· Guiding simple conservation tasks
· Awarding AQA’s or other relevant certification to individuals
· Personal development of volunteer workers
This will include managing small budgets allocated by your manager, planning and developing new activities for the group, ordering stock/seeds, coordinating the maintenance of tools, assisting with impact reports, following risk assessments, and reporting any safeguarding concerns.
Most importantly, you will get to know the incredible individuals that attend our service, you will understand their personal journey and become dedicated to building on their individual strengths, as you aspire on their behalf. This will involve creating, managing and maintaining individual profiles that capture their personal goals, interests, strengths and areas for development. You will use this information to inform the planning and delivery of the program. This will help to ensure that the activities and opportunities we provide on the Care Farm are person-centred and support each volunteer workers individual development and interests.
Key results from your role will be seen as our volunteer workers increase their practical skills and confidence. Our work is person-centred, which means it is guided by them as much as us and this collaborative approach will be vital to your role.
Success will see growing spaces become more productive as opportunities are grasped and developed using your enthusiasm for organic vegetable growing, people and the soil. As a space open to the public, it will be one to be enjoyed by all Fordhall visitors.
Responsibilities
- To proactively engage with developments within the garden setting, suggesting ecological improvements or gardening activities suitable for the group. Including:
- Perform regular garden maintenance tasks including planting, weeding, pruning, composting and mulching.
- Lead on use of hand tools and small power tools safely and efficiently for various gardening tasks.
- Conduct grounds keeping duties to maintain the overall appearance of the landscape.
- Monitor plant health and identify any issues such as pests or diseases, implementing appropriate organic/permaculture solutions.
- Lead on design and layout of new garden areas or landscaping projects.
- Responsible for maintaining the organic growing areas and storage spaces, ensuring a safe and tidy site. Co-ordinating the general cleaning and maintenance of greenhouse, shed, storage areas, all internal external areas used by the group.
- Supervise/guide external support workers and volunteers safely, including safe use of tools and ensuring appropriate risk assessments are in place.
- Support people attending the care farm to ensure they are safe and welcomed, and are able to carry out the activities to best of their abilities.
- To work with empathy and understanding to support, guide and empower our participants to achieve their potential and improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
- Regularly liaise and communicate with carers, family members, professionals and other external agencies.
- To help make the farm an welcoming and safe place for care farm participants, staff and visitors.
- Be actively involved in the gathering and documentation of individual’s achievement. Keep all appropriate records and information up to date, provide any information and documentation required and prepare regular reports on the day’s activities, including individual evaluations to help make sure there is accurate and timely information available to evidence our impact.
- Undertake training and continuous professional development in accordance with the needs of the service and the people we support.
- To be organised and have good written communication skills necessary for record-keeping, evaluations, social media and newsletter items.
- Comply with Fordhall’s health and safety policies, including protection of vulnerable adults and child protection policies. Comply with Health and Safety Legislation, food hygiene and other relevant policies and procedures.
Experience / Attributes
- · A qualification or extensive practical experience in organic horticulture, or perhaps you are a keen gardener and have completed a Permaculture course. Having the right understanding and approach is vital to us.
- · An ability to creatively guide and plan simple woodworking projects with appropriate tools.
- · A qualification or extensive experience of working with SEN adults (with learning disabilities and/or other support needs)
- · Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- · Basic computer skills – Word/excel/regular email communication.
- · An understanding of the importance of confidentiality, data protection and the needs and wishes of service uses as appropriate.
- · Working knowledge of risk assessment, Health and Safety, safeguarding, person-centred planning.
- · Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage and deliver multiple activities, prioritising workload. An ability to plan long-term and think strategically about the project will be advantageous.
- · A caring, empathetic and understanding approach and an ability to empower and support others.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for this position you must complete an application form, which can be downloaded from our website www.fordhallfarm.com/jobs
- Please note: Applications received direct through Indeed, without using our application form above will NOT be accepted.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: From £13.64 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sabbatical
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
