Community Engagement& Volunteer Coordinator

HCGC is a unique community-led urban garden, garden centre and café project, established over 25 years ago. Our mission is to bring communities together through gardening. We are a volunteer and education hub that promotes horticulture and sustainability across the education, community, business, and public health sectors. We are uniquely placed to help satisfy the increasing need to reach excluded, isolated and marginalised people, and to further develop our relationships with referring organisations (especially local Housing, GPs, and employability bodies) to improve provision and better meet the demand on our services.

2026-29 Reaching Communities (lottery-funded) project aims to increase the quantity and quality of our volunteering and training programmes, to create a wider and richer range of opportunities and pursuits for people to engage with at HCGC, and to fulfil our improved environmental outcomes.

Overall Purpose of the Job

To work collaboratively with the HCGC team to ensure the successful delivery of the Reaching Communities (Lottery) project.

The postholder will aim to maximise the number, quality, and accessibility of volunteering opportunities, and increase levels of engagement across the community.

Key responsibilities include the recruitment, induction, training, and ongoing supervision of volunteers; effective liaison with the HCGC staff team, Board members, and external partner organisations; and proactive community outreach to promote participation and inclusion.

The role will also contribute to organisational development alongside senior staff, and will be responsible for regular monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on project progress and activities.

Main Responsibilities
Coordinate and manage the HCGC Volunteer Programme
, working closely with senior staff to maximise the range, quality, and accessibility of volunteering opportunities. This includes ensuring consistently high standards of delivery, building a visible and welcoming volunteer culture, and using volunteering as a key route for community members to engage with the Centre, its facilities, and its wider offer.
Work collaboratively with the HCGC staff team, Board members, and external organisations to shape and develop volunteering roles that respond to community need and organisational priorities. This will include supporting volunteer recruitment, progression, and retention; contributing to project and service development; and identifying opportunities for partnership working, funding, and sustainable growth. The postholder will actively build relationships across the local community to raise awareness of HCGC as a place to volunteer, meet, and hire venue space for activities, events, and services.
Ensure all volunteer-related policies, procedures, and handbooks are current, compliant, and accessible
, reflecting best practice and ensuring volunteers feel supported, informed, and confident in their roles.
Recruit, induct, supervise, and support volunteers across a wide range of Centre-based activities
, ensuring a positive, inclusive experience that maximises both volunteer contribution and personal development outcomes. This includes creating opportunities for volunteers to act as ambassadors for the Centre within the community and to confidently promote HCGC’s activities, offerings and venue hire spaces.
Work in partnership with senior staff and sessional workers to develop and strengthen the Volunteer Programme in line with HCGC’s strategic priorities and agreed projects, including projects that increase community use of the buildings, site, broaden participation, and support income generation.
Promote the Volunteer Programme and the wider work of HCGC
through local media, community networks, events, meetings, and HCGC digital platforms. Represent the Centre as a visible advocate, building relationships and promoting volunteering, partnerships, funding opportunities, and the availability and benefits of hiring HCGC’s on-site spaces, encouraging community participation and use of the Centre.
Work with the HCGC Administration and sessional staff to maintain accurate volunteer attendance, activity, and monitoring…