Community Gardener

The Hidden Gardens is seeking a Community Gardener to lead the practical gardening and outdoor learning activity within The Growing Place, a new three-year participatory programme bringing people together through gardening, nature and outdoor learning. Funded by The National Lottery Community Action Fund, the programme aims to improve access to nature and green space, strengthen community wellbeing, build confidence and skills, and support local action on climate change and biodiversity.

The programme will work with young adults aged 18+, older adults aged 55+, and families. All sessions will be free to attend and delivered throughout the year in seasonal blocks, enabling participants to build relationships with The Gardens and with one another over time.

This is a hands-on, physical role; you will facilitate participants to grow plants, create habitats, care for the site, explore biodiversity and learn about the natural world. You will bring strong horticultural knowledge and, importantly, the ability to share that knowledge in a practical, welcoming and engaging way.
You will work closely with the Head Gardener, contributing to the ongoing care and ecological development of The Hidden Gardens, and with the Community Programme Manager, who will support programme planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation.

• You will co-design and deliver weekly practical gardening and outdoor learning sessions, developing seasonal blocks throughout the year.
• You will create inclusive, hands-on activities that encourage curiosity, learning and participation, adapting them for different ages, abilities and confidence levels.
• You will support people to access nature and green space, helping participants build practical skills, confidence and connections while taking an active role in caring for the Gardens.
• You will also gather feedback, contribute to evaluation and celebrate participants’ achievements.
• Working with the Head Gardener, you will contribute to the horticultural care and development of The Hidden Gardens through planting, propagation, pruning, weeding and composting.
• You will care for the wider garden, including trees, borders, lawns, glasshouses and nursery areas, while creating wildlife habitats and supporting biodiversity monitoring.
• You will use sustainable, climate-responsive approaches to gardening and help participants understand how their practical activities can support biodiversity, environmental resilience and a changing climate.
• You will help people develop a meaningful relationship with the natural world through practical, everyday experiences. From growing plants and creating habitats to observing wildlife, making compost and noticing seasonal change, you will encourage curiosity and a sense of connection.