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- Tasks: Manage and care for a beautiful hospital garden while supporting patients.
- Company: Horatio’s Garden is a charity creating therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible schedule, work in a serene environment, and make a real impact.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help enhance the wellbeing of patients through gardening.
- Qualifications: 3+ years gardening experience and RHS Level 2 or equivalent qualification required.
- Other info: This role includes working with volunteers and facilitating therapeutic gardening sessions.
The predicted salary is between 18900 - 18900 £ per year.
Salary: £18,900 (£31,500 FTE)
Location: The National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury
Contract type/ hours: Permanent, 3 days a week, to include 4 hours one weekend afternoon every other week
Closing date: Wednesday 30 April, 2025
Start date: End May/beginning June 2025
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced gardener for a prestigious role in our hospital garden at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville. The garden was opened in 2018 and was designed by Joe Swift. Horatio’s Garden is a nationwide charity creating and nurturing beautifully designed gardens in NHS’s spinal injury centres. The gardener will be responsible for managing and caring for the garden and supporting the patients who use it. You will run a thriving, vibrant sanctuary which meets the needs of the charity’s beneficiaries.
The fully accessible garden has been beautifully designed and includes a water feature and a large garden room to give patients a warm sheltered place to enjoy the garden in all weather. There is a large glasshouse and an area of raised beds for patients where you will lead garden therapy sessions and a dedicated office space.
Together with the Patient Experience Manager you will work with a large team of garden volunteers to nurture the beautiful space for patients and their visitors. You will be responsible for delivering a therapeutic gardening programme, running tours and assisting with events in the garden. You will work closely with NHS staff to facilitate and maximise use of the garden by people with spinal injuries, their family and friends.
This role is a fantastic opportunity for a confident, experienced gardener with an interest in gardens and wellbeing, and a passion for people as well as plants.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Essential
- Practical experience as a gardener, at least 3 years
- RHS Level 2 or equivalent Horticultural qualification
- Very good plant knowledge and experience of propagation techniques
- Experience of working with and managing volunteers
- Excellent IT skills, specifically proficient with Microsoft Office 365: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Professional and confident public speaker
- Interest in wellbeing benefits of gardens
- Experience of garden management
- RHS Level 3 or equivalent Diploma in Principles and Practices of Horticulture
- Post Graduate Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture
- Experience of volunteer recruitment and training
- Line management experience
- Experience of therapeutic activities
- Working in the voluntary sector
- NHS experience or work in a health care setting
- Use of social media to promote activities and events
Qualities
- Professional and confident
- Empathetic and kind
- Calm under pressure
- Able to meet the physical demands of the job
- Flexible and able to adapt to changing priorities
- Self-motivated and capable of working with the minimum of direction but understanding the limits of your knowledge and able to seek advice when required
As a Charity we are committed to creating and promoting a culture that protects and preserves the welfare of the vulnerable people in our care. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining and evaluating information from and about candidates including criminal record checks, to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work for our Charity.
APPLICATION
Please write a one page covering letter, explaining why you would be suited to this role and send this along with your CV to kath.moss@horatiosgarden.org.uk
Please visit our website www.horatiosgarden.org.uk for further information, including a detailed job description and person specification. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sectors of society.
NOTE: DBS, medical and reference checks will be conducted as part of the recruitment process.
Gardener, Horatio\'s Garden - Stoke Mandeville employer: Horatios Garden
Contact Detail:
Horatios Garden Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Gardener, Horatio\'s Garden - Stoke Mandeville
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Horatio's Garden and its mission. Understanding the charity's focus on wellbeing and therapeutic gardening will help you connect with their values during any interviews or discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the horticultural and healthcare sectors. Attend local gardening events or workshops to meet people who may have insights into the role or the organisation, which could give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing volunteers and running therapeutic gardening sessions. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've engaged with others in a gardening context, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by practising public speaking. Since the role involves leading tours and engaging with patients, being confident in your ability to speak clearly and empathetically will be beneficial.
We think you need these skills to ace Gardener, Horatio\'s Garden - Stoke Mandeville
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the gardener position. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a one-page cover letter that clearly explains why you are suited for this role. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your gardening skills, volunteer management, and passion for wellbeing.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and tailored to the job. Emphasise your horticultural qualifications, practical gardening experience, and any relevant volunteer work or therapeutic activities you've been involved in.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread both your cover letter and CV. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise.
How to prepare for a job interview at Horatios Garden
✨Show Your Passion for Gardening
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for gardening and how it relates to wellbeing. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your connection to plants and nature, especially in therapeutic settings.
✨Demonstrate Your Experience with Volunteers
Since the role involves managing volunteers, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in this area. Highlight any specific strategies you've used to motivate and train volunteers, as well as how you’ve fostered a positive team environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions about your horticultural knowledge and practical skills. Brush up on plant care, propagation techniques, and garden management practices, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Given the importance of working with patients and NHS staff, be ready to showcase your communication abilities. Provide examples of how you've effectively interacted with diverse groups, particularly in a healthcare or community setting.
