Mental Health Community Garden - Project Manager

About This Project:
Bessels Green Baptist Church is a thriving community of Christians who have recently received a substantial legacy gift of £1 million. Following extensive community consultation, we have decided to develop and launch a community garden/outdoor hub on a site that we have already secured. Our aim is to improve the mental well-being of people in Sevenoaks and the surrounding villages.

The project will offer a range of horticultural, nature connection, exercise and other therapeutic activities available to all. We want it to give people a sense of belonging and responsibility in a safe space, while developing skills and emotional well-being that will support other parts of their lives. We want this to be a long-lasting, self-sustainable, inspiring project that will impact those in our community who are experiencing a vulnerable time in their lives.

About This Role Reporting to:
Trustees of Ash Platt Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) We are seeking an entrepreneurial and passionate Project Manager to help us design and deliver an exciting outdoor mental health project that will benefit our local community in significant ways. You will create a natural, nurturing, calm outdoor space to bring people together to support their wellbeing. Initially you will work from home or with office space available at Bessels Green Baptist Church and will need to travel regularly to meetings and the garden site.

Once launched, the role will require attendance at the garden several days per week.

Key Responsibilities
· You will build upon the findings of the Community Mental Health Scoping Exercise to develop a comprehensive project plan to launch the garden in the first half of 2026 – having designed the space in conjunction with the local community and experts who have related experience.
· You will promote the garden and its activities to potential beneficiaries and partners, establishing a marketing and communications strategy and building relationships with community leaders and stakeholder groups.
· You will create a programme of activities to support wellbeing and mental health, design effective ways to monitor and evaluate impact and ensure constant learning and improvement as the project develops. You will create a welcoming, positive, and inclusive environment where people from any background will feel valued and supported. You will develop the operations of the garden with volunteers and partners, taking responsibility for its maintenance, promoting health and safety standards and ensuring that volunteers have the tools, equipment and workwear to work safely and comfortably.

You will manage a comprehensive programme of volunteering to support garden operations, identify pathways for volunteers to take on leadership roles, recruit and manage any future staff required and design training and support structures for all team members You will extend the reach of the original legacy gift by exploring a diverse range of funding opportunities, identify and pursue match funding and build partnerships with potential funders and supporting organisations About You Essential Requirements Educated to degree level or higher, or with equivalent work experience.

A demonstrable experience of managing and launching complex projects of a similar nature and the ability to manage an outdoor space. A passion for working outdoors and awareness of the benefits to people's wellbeing of being outside in nature Practical experience of working alongside mental health services. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and demonstrable competence in IT, data management and data protection.

Strong budgetary and financial management skills Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to be a team player who works collaboratively and takes a people oriented inclusive approach. Outstanding oral and written communication skills - equally confidently with senior leaders, partners and service users Self-motivated and self-directed with an entrepreneurial spirit and a high level of personal integrity Committed to making a tangible difference to the mental well-being of our local community

Desirable…