Volunteer with our Wellbeing Garden Project
What is the project? We are looking for friendly volunteers aged 18+ with some gardening and growing knowledge to support our new wellbeing and befriending project. The garden aims to be a way of providing befriending services in an outdoor environment.
The project is aimed at those service users who have some social or health care needs that result in them feeling isolated and excluded from their community. Volunteers will engage with service users enabling them to take part in fun and inclusive gardening activities. We predominantly work with older people. Where possible, volunteers will work on a one to one basis with their befriendee and some service users may need to be accompanied by a carer if their needs are of a higher level.
What will we provide?
Initial safeguarding training
Reimbursement of expenses
All equipment and materials required
Quarterly meetings with other volunteers (Covid rules permitting)
A healthy and fun way to help others in our community
Full support during office hours from two dedicated coordinators
What is involved for me as a volunteer? You will need to be able to travel independently to the Nightingale Community Garden and may be asked to collect equipment/plants etc. in DPVC transport.
Skills required
Compassionate, respectful and able to relate to vulnerable people.
Excellent communicator and able to adapt to those with different communication needs.
To be able to act on own initiative.
To be reliable and committed to regular sessions.
Time commitment: Average length of session will be 2 hrs between 9am and 3pm. Sessions take place on either a Monday/ Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday (although we can be flexible with this, the sessions will need to be within our office hours so that we can offer support if needed
Training: Full training is provided.
Expenses reimbursed: Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed.
Selection procedure: Informal discussion, application form completion, 2 references and a disclosure and barring check (cost met by organisation).
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact us using the form below.