Gardening Maintenance Volunteer - Bushey Fields

Gardening Maintenance Volunteer - Bushey Fields

The closing date is 02 March 2026

Purpose of volunteering role
: to support the Occupational Therapy team, with developing and maintaining therapeutic garden spaces at Bushey Fields Mental Health Hospital.

This is a voluntary role which is unpaid.

Black Country Healthcare is a major provider of NHS mental health services for more than a million people across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton:

• Adult and older adult mental health services
• Mental health services for children and young people
• Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley

We’re proud to be rated Good by the Care Quality Commission, and that many of our staff have won awards for their work.

Examples of how you can help us:

• We are looking for a Gardening Volunteer who feels confident using their gardening knowledge and expertise to help grow and maintain the gardens and green spaces at Bushey Fields.
• The role involves carrying out practical gardening tasks such as planting, pruning, weeding, path maintenance, and general allotment-style upkeep.
• We are seeking someone who can work independently, take initiative, and bring fresh ideas to enhance the garden in ways that support patient recovery.
• We are looking for a volunteer who can offer a few hours of support each week, between a Monday to Thursday.
• Desirable: The team would also welcome someone who can support the Thursday afternoon 'Nature Space' gardening group with patients, and who can contribute ideas for meaningful outdoor activities that patients may enjoy.
• Must be able to travel to Bushey Fields Hospital (travel expenses can be reimbursed).

How we can support you:

• Training and Induction.
• One to one support meetings.
• We can provide a reference for future employment.
• Travel expenses will be paid.
• Further training opportunities.
• Support you to learn new skills and gain experience.
• Create a plan together to meet your volunteering goals.

We are looking for volunteers who have these qualities:

• Demonstrate good horticultural or gardening skills – whether gained through paid work or personal projects.
• Some awareness of mental health issues.
• Confident in sharing skills and supporting individuals with varying abilities, offering guidance in a patient and inclusive manner.
• Demonstrate good communication skills and is friendly and welcoming, able to engage comfortably with patients and staff.
• Able to follow confidentiality policy and professional boundaries to keep themselves and patients safe.
• Ability to use digital technology for e-learning training (we can support you with this).
• Reliability – desirable that volunteers can support regularly, to provide stability to the team/patients and themselves.
• Live in the Black Country, within a reasonable travel distance to site.
• Volunteers must be over 18.

• Caring
  :
  We care for everyone as individuals, being compassionate, empathetic and kind with a willingness to help.
• Enabling
  :
  We enable ourselves and others to act with confidence and authority in order to achieve the best outcome for everyone.
• Working Together
  :
  We work together in partnership, being inclusive by understanding and valuing others to achieve the best results for everyone in everything we do.
• Integrity
  :
  We act with transparency and honesty; respecting and valuing others to do the right thing at the right time for everyone.

We’re committed to building a workforce and culture that reflects our varied population and to create a culture of belonging. We always engage and involve when making key decisions, regardless of role or level. For example, we have worked closely with staff, patients, community groups and other key partners, in putting together our clinical strategy.

Due to the nature of our work some volunteering roles may be subject to a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service as stipulated under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from volunteering with us; this will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

• Live within the Black Country or within a reasonable travel distance to our sites.
• Over 18 years old.
• Awareness of mental health.
• Passion for mental health services.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Depending on experience – Voluntary (unpaid).