At a Glance
- Tasks: Help create a beautiful sensory garden while supporting individuals with young onset dementia.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to improving health and wellbeing in the community.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, develop gardening skills, and make a positive impact.
- Other info: Flexible volunteering hours with opportunities to learn and grow.
- Why this job: Be part of a meaningful project that connects nature and mental health.
- Qualifications: A passion for gardening, patience, and a caring attitude are essential.
Main Duties of the Job
- Bring people together to improve their health and wellbeing
- Improve the aesthetics of the sensory garden
- Be creative in providing a calm and relaxing space within the sensory garden
- Co-produce with service users and the local community
- Improve biodiversity through plant diversity
- Provide good quality habitat for wildlife
- Allow nature to be therapeutic
- Increase the quality of access to nature
- Reduce harmful practice in daily practice to limit the loss to our ecosystems
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
- Maintain planted areas, with regular watering, weeding, mulching etc.
- Support improvements to the sensory garden
- Create wildlife habitats, such as insect hotels, bird boxes
- Monitor butterflies, pollinators, plants and other wildlife
- Work alongside and support volunteer gardener at Memorial Hospital site
- Work with small groups of service users as garden buddies
- Share knowledge and experience with garden buddies
- Encourage participation of garden buddies
- Maintain and monitor the upkeep of any tools and materials
- Report any concerns or issues about garden buddies to named employee for Oxleas NHS Trust at that time
- Report any concerns or issues about the garden or materials to the Sustainability Manager
When working with Oxleas Service Users: Responsibility for the group (or any service user working with the volunteer) will lie with a named employee of Oxleas NHS Trust. Someone employed by the Trust will be with the group (or individual) throughout any activity.
Person Specification
- Knowledge: Knowledge of gardening, plants, wildlife
- Skills: Extremely patient, kind & caring and able to adapt to change at the last minute
- Care: Care of the environment and the wildlife habitat
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Volunteer Gardener - Young Onset Dementia Group employer: Job Search Place Limited
As a Volunteer Gardener with the Young Onset Dementia Group, you will be part of a compassionate and supportive community dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of individuals through nature. Our work culture prioritises collaboration and creativity, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of gardening in a serene environment. With opportunities for personal growth and the chance to engage with diverse groups, this role offers a rewarding experience that nurtures both the mind and the ecosystem.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Gardener - Young Onset Dementia Group
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research the Young Onset Dementia Group and their values. This will help you connect with them during your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or past volunteers, and don’t be shy about asking for advice. They can give you insider tips on what the team is looking for and how to stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with the team, share your gardening experiences and any creative ideas you have for the sensory garden. Let your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Gardener - Young Onset Dementia Group
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening:Let us see your love for gardening shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects you've worked on that relate to gardening, especially those that involve community engagement or working with diverse groups.
Highlight Your People Skills:Since you'll be working with service users and fellow volunteers, it's crucial to showcase your patience and kindness. Give examples of how you've supported others in the past, especially in a group setting.
Be Creative in Your Application:We want to know how you can contribute to making the sensory garden a calming and relaxing space. Feel free to share any innovative ideas you have for improving the garden or engaging with the community.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way for us to receive your details and get you started on this exciting journey with us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Gardening Stuff
Brush up on your gardening knowledge! Be ready to discuss different plants, wildlife habitats, and how to maintain a sensory garden. Showing that you understand the importance of biodiversity and how to create a calming space will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Your Caring Side
This role is all about patience and kindness. Think of examples from your past where you've worked with others, especially in a caring capacity. Share stories that highlight your ability to adapt and support individuals, particularly those with young onset dementia.
✨Get Creative!
The job requires creativity in improving the aesthetics of the garden. Prepare to share any ideas you have for enhancing the sensory garden or creating wildlife habitats. This could be anything from designing insect hotels to suggesting new plant varieties that attract pollinators.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Collaboration is key in this role. Think about how you can work alongside service users and other volunteers. Be prepared to discuss how you would encourage participation and share your gardening knowledge with others, making the experience enjoyable for everyone involved.
