Gardener
At Turning Tides, we know that homelessness has so many possible root causes – domestic violence, debt, addiction, grief or mental health challenges, to name a few.
We believe that real change comes from more than a roof over someone’s head. With kindness and experience, our team of staff and volunteers help people tackle the issues behind their homelessness. Homelessness must never be normalised; we stand for a world where every person has a place to call home.
Volunteers are the backbone of Turning Tides. By contributing your time and expertise, you help people affected by homelessness to rebuild their lives and look to the future with optimism.
A bit about the role:
Each project has been given a budget to transform the garden at their property. Although we want this group to be client led, we recognise that someone who can take an organisational lead is essential to it working. Someone who can mediate different client wants and needs to create a garden all residents want to use and be part of the process. This will incorporate planning and budgeting for the garden project.
What goes on here?
Our projects provide move on accommodation for those people who have struggled with homelessness. Within move on residents are at the last stage of their journey back into community and are actively working with support to find permanent accommodation.
What will I be doing?
- Helping the residents to tend to and maintain the garden independently
- Duties could include – weeding, planting, pruning and other general gardening activities
- To purchase plants, equipment needed within the budget
- Help the group understand planning a garden
- Help the group understand how to maintain a budget and use funds well
- The group will meet throughout the year
What training will I receive?
Before you start your volunteering, you will be invited to an induction. During this induction we will share with you our Volunteering Handbook.
The induction will cover Professional Boundaries, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity and be a chance for you to find out more about Turning Tides and ask any questions.
You will be provided with copies of
- Volunteering Handbook
- Code of Conduct
- Volunteering Policy
- Health & Safety Policy
- Fire Safety Policy
- Gardening Risk assessment
- Fit and able to carry out physical duties such as lifting and moving furniture.
The expectation is that you read these documents and adhere to these throughout all your volunteering activities.
This role requires the following training, and we ask that you can commit to this. (The training is in a variety of formats depending on the subject – a video to watch, a document to read or an online course). You will be sent a link to MeLearning after your induction with the relevant courses to your role
Times and Commitment
Flexible, mornings and afternoons throughout the week. Hours and times can be flexible. Approximately 2 to 3 hours per weekly/ fortnight. Monthly opportunities available too.
Sign Up Process
We need to ensure you are eligible to volunteer in the UK. To do this we will ask to see documentation that proves your right to volunteer in the UK at your induction. If you are unable to provide this documentation you will be unable to volunteer. If you have the right to work in the UK on a permanent basis you are also normally allowed to volunteer. If in doubt, please contact the Home Office.
All of Turning Tides’ roles require two character references. These references do not need to be employment references, however, we cannot accept references from family members.
More Information
If you have any further queries please contact Hannah on 07749 491285 or volunteering@turning-tides.org.uk
Gardener
Details
Location:
East Grinstead
Burgess Hill
Storrington
Horsham