Grounds and Volunteer Assistant
Location: Longmead Community Farm, Dorset
Hours: Wednesdays 10:30am to 2:30pm and Fridays 9:00am to 1:30pm (8 hours per week)
Hourly Rate: £14.00 per hour
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Purpose of the Role
The Grounds and Volunteer Assistant plays an important role in maintaining and improving the Longmead Community Farm site. The postholder will undertake practical grounds maintenance, support the upkeep of the kitchen garden, maintain tools and equipment, carry out minor repairs and maintenance tasks, assist with housekeeping duties within the main farmhouse, and support the delivery of volunteer and work experience programmes.
The role helps ensure that Longmead remains a safe, welcoming, and attractive environment for visitors, volunteers, programme participants, guests, and the wider community.
Key Responsibilities
Grounds Maintenance
- Cut grass and maintain lawn areas across the site.
- Undertake strimming and edge maintenance.
- Cut and maintain hedges, shrubs, and planted areas.
- Weed planting beds and maintain landscaped areas.
- Plant trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, and other crops as required.
- Support seasonal site improvement projects.
- Ensure pathways, outdoor spaces, and communal areas are maintained to a high standard.
Kitchen Garden Maintenance
- Prepare and cultivate beds for planting.
- Carry out regular weeding and garden maintenance.
- Support planting, growing, and harvesting activities.
- Apply weed treatment products safely and in accordance with instructions and risk assessments.
- Assist with maintaining productive and attractive growing spaces.
Site Repairs and Maintenance
- Carry out minor fencing repairs and maintenance.
- Undertake painting and woodstaining of external doors, fences, garden furniture, and other outdoor structures.
- Maintain gardening equipment, grounds maintenance machinery, hand tools, and associated equipment in a safe and serviceable condition.
- Clean, sharpen, oil, and undertake routine maintenance of tools and equipment as required.
- Report defects, damage, and maintenance issues requiring specialist repair.
- Ensure tools, equipment, and materials are stored safely and securely.
Housekeeping and Cleaning
- Assist with the cleaning and presentation of the main farmhouse and communal areas.
- Carry out routine cleaning duties including vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors, cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and shared spaces.
- Help prepare accommodation and facilities for guests, visitors, volunteers, and events.
- Ensure the farmhouse and communal facilities are maintained to a clean, safe, and welcoming standard.
- Report any housekeeping, maintenance, or health and safety concerns to the Chief Operating Officer.
- Support periodic deep-cleaning activities as required.
- Ensure cleaning materials and equipment are used safely and stored appropriately.
Volunteer and Work Experience Support
- Work alongside volunteers during practical land-based activities.
- Provide guidance, support, and encouragement to volunteers undertaking grounds maintenance and gardening tasks.
- Support young people participating in Longmead's work experience programme.
- Promote safe working practices and positive engagement within volunteer sessions.
- Help create an inclusive and welcoming environment for volunteers and work experience participants.
- Act as a positive ambassador for Longmead Community Farm and its values.
Health & Safety Responsibilities
- Follow Longmead Community Farm's Health & Safety policies and procedures at all times.
- Use tools, machinery, equipment, and materials safely and appropriately.
- Wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Identify and report hazards, near misses, accidents, and maintenance concerns.
- Support safe working practices for volunteers and work experience participants.
- Ensure work areas are kept tidy and free from unnecessary hazards.
General Responsibilities
- Represent Longmead Community Farm positively and professionally.
- Work collaboratively as part of the wider Longmead team.
- Attend meetings, supervision sessions, and training as required.
- Maintain appropriate records relating to maintenance and housekeeping activities where necessary.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the purpose and level of the post.
Person Specification
Essential
- Practical experience of grounds maintenance, gardening, landscaping, estate maintenance, property maintenance, housekeeping, or a similar practical role.
- Ability to use gardening and maintenance tools safely and effectively.
- Basic DIY and repair skills.
- Ability to carry out cleaning and housekeeping duties to a high standard.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work positively with volunteers and young people.
- Understanding of basic Health & Safety requirements.
- Physically able to undertake outdoor practical work.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working alongside children, young people, and vulnerable adults, or a willingness to undertake safeguarding training.
Desirable
- Experience working within a rural, farming, charity, hospitality, or community setting.
- Experience supporting volunteers or work experience placements.
- PA1/PA6 pesticide or weed-spraying qualification (or willingness to undertake training).
- First Aid qualification.
- Knowledge of horticulture, vegetable growing, conservation, or land management practices.
Safeguarding
Longmead Community Farm is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be expected to share this commitment and work in accordance with the organisation's safeguarding policies and procedures.
- An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
- Applicants should have an understanding of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults or be willing to undertake safeguarding training as part of their induction and ongoing professional development.
Terms and Conditions
- Hours: 8 hours per week.
- Working Pattern:
- Wednesday: 10:30am to 2:30pm
- Friday: 9:00am to 1:30pm
- Rate of Pay: £14.00 per hour.
- Reports to: Chief Operating Officer.
- Annual Salary Equivalent: £5,824 per annum.
About Longmead Community Farm
Longmead Community Farm is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic, educational, volunteering and work experience opportunities for children, young people, adults, and families. We are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment where people can develop skills, confidence, wellbeing, and meaningful connections through engagement with nature, farming and community activities.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys practical outdoor work, takes pride in maintaining attractive and functional indoor and outdoor spaces, and is keen to support volunteers and young people to engage in meaningful activities at Longmead Community Farm.
Pay: £13.00-£14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
