Volunteer Horticulture

Days/Times:
Ideally Wednesday mornings to support the gardening group, but flexible depending on availability.

Main

Purpose:

Support the creation and upkeep of a healing garden as part of the NHS Culture of Care Programme and Quality Improvement (QI) initiative. Working with the Occupational Therapy (OT) team, the volunteer will help maintain a therapeutic outdoor space to enhance recovery and wellbeing for service users.

About the Cedars:
Coombehaven Ward is a mixed-gender, locked unit offering a secure environment for mental health assessments and tailored treatment. The enclosed garden is a key therapeutic space aiding recovery.

About the Project:
The Healing Garden is a new green space developed through the Culture of Care Programme. Led by Rebecca from the OT team, it aims to provide a calming, inclusive environment. The volunteer will support the gardening group, promoting meaningful activity and social inclusion.

About the NHS Culture of Care Programme: A national initiative to transform inpatient services by prioritising safety, dignity, and inclusion. It includes 12 core commitments, such as:

• Ensuring patients feel safe, valued, and included
• Promoting equity and trauma‑informed care
• Involving patients in decisions and daily activities
• Designing environments that support recovery

• Support practical gardening tasks under supervision in the ward garden
• Assist the OT team and service users in planning and delivering gardening activities
• Take part in planting, weeding, watering, and general maintenance
• Help co‑facilitate weekly sessions and encourage engagement
• Share ideas to develop the garden space
• Promote a safe, inclusive, recovery‑focused environment

• Interest or basic knowledge in gardening/horticulture
• Enjoys working outdoors in all weather
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Team player with sensitivity to mental health needs
• Reliable and open to learning

• Must be 18+
• Subject to references and DBS check
• Completion of Trust induction, mandatory/statutory training, and refreshers required
• Log weekly hours via Better Impact system
• Maintain regular contact with line manager and report concerns
• Follow health and safety procedures
• Travel expenses reimbursed (policy applies)
• References available after 6 months
• Voluntary role with no employment relationship implied

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile;

making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

• People who are happy volunteering outside in all the different weather conditions.
• Basic knowledge /interest in gardening, horticulture
• Manual handling experience (not essential)
• Commitment to the ethos and values of DPT
• Adaptability, flexibility and creativity
• Good interpersonal skills and experience of working in a team

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.