Community Garden Facilitator: Social & Volunteers

Wednesday 10.30 - 3.30 Alternate Tuesdays 1.30 - 4.30 Plus occasional work for cover/events

Address

The Concrete Garden, The Back Garden, Possilpark

We are looking for someone to work from early July to the end of October, with a plan to recommence in March 2024 subject to funding.

We’re open to hearing from applicants who are available for either or both days of work.

The freelance Urban Grow Worker/s will support our current Growing Well program, based across two community gardens, the Concrete Garden and the Back Garden. We work with our community to create spaces which enable people to come together to grow food, develop skills and confidence, make friends, cook and eat together and participate in a wide range of workshops and volunteering opportunities.

In doing so, people are able to nourish themselves, their wellbeing and community.

Both gardens support individual and group plot‑holders and run a seasonal program of social and therapeutic sessions, where people are supported to grow their own food, and meet and work alongside others on seasonal activities. The Growing Well program also includes Grow Your Own workshops, wellbeing workshops which support skills for wellbeing through simple, budget‑friendly, self‑care practices, as well as seasonal outdoor cookery, social activities, volunteer action days and taster sessions.

The Freelance Urban Grow Worker/s will co‑facilitate our weekly Social Gardening session at the Back Garden and our fortnightly Volunteer Maintenance session at the Concrete Garden as well as occasionally support other activities and events if available.

Reports to: Urban Growing and Community Development Leads and Coordinator

Supervises: Volunteers, Plot holders and Community Gardeners

• Co‑facilitate our weekly social gardening and volunteer maintenance sessions by ensuring the smooth running of the sessions including welcoming participants, organising refreshments, introducing new participants to the garden and the group.
• Supporting participants to learn about food growing and gardening and take part in activities by providing appropriate support, demonstrations and practical advice so they get the most out of their time in the garden.
• Managing health and safety throughout the sessions, practising safe working and ensuring that participants are advised of safe use of tools and materials. Ensuring PPE is worn when necessary and that any accidents are reported and recorded in the accident book.
• Working to maintain a safe and positive environment by encouraging and supporting a positive and inclusive group dynamic.
• Keeping the garden ordered and tidy and encouraging growers to assist in tidying up following their activities.
• Support monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes by taking part in regular session debriefs and reflection.

• Experience in community based food growing or related projects
• Experience working with a wide range of people and age groups
• Experience delivering food growing/gardening workshops and activities
• Experience with risk assessing and working safely in a garden environment
• The ability to work both independently and within a team
• A commitment and ability to practice with an inclusive, person‑centred and participatory approach
• An understanding of how community gardens and social and therapeutic horticulture fit within broader environmental and social justice work
• Relevant horticulture experience
• Good communication skills

The successful applicant will require public liability insurance as well as a new or up to date PVG Scheme Membership Statement (within 6 months) prior to commencing work. PVG scheme membership costs of up to £59 will be reimbursed as an expense. We will also require 2 referees – at least one should be from a relevant work or volunteering context.