Gardening Volunteer

The aim of the role is to help to keep the newly created garden at The Mulberry Unit tidy and interesting, for the enjoyment of patients, visitors and staff. Volunteers will assist with pruning, weeding, deadheading, watering, and, occasionally, new planting.

Volunteering for this role as a regular Gardening Volunteer involves a flexible ongoing commitment during the Spring, Summer and Autumn months, at a time to suit you and the staff who will be supporting you, taking into account weather conditions and other environmental factors. This will be on a weekday, rather than at weekends. Gardening volunteers may carry out their tasks in a small group, or individually, according to preference and varying circumstances. The role can also be carried out in a limited and supervised way as a ‘Garden Tidy Day’ Volunteer as part of a group, in agreement with the Volunteer Service

Activities undertaken by volunteers will not be used as a substitution for that of paid staff. Volunteers will not be asked to help in ways which facilitate a decrease in paid employment. The work of volunteers will always be to complement and not supplement that of paid employees of the trust.

Key Responsibilities

1.     Weeding borders and pots around the ward.

2.     Deadheading plants as necessary.

3.     Cutting back / pruning as needed.

4.     Watering new plants and as necessary in dry spells.

5.     Occasionally, helping to choose new plants for pots or borders, and planting them.

Volunteer profile

A Gardening Volunteer will be reliable and self-motivated and have a good basic knowledge of gardening.  

In addition they will have/be:

1.     Able to carry out the gardening tasks required

2.     Able and willing to follow instructions re health and safety in using tools

3.     The physical ability to undertake the role, including lifting and moving pots and equipment

4.     Good communication and interpersonal skills

5.     Reliable, punctual and trustworthy

6.     A good understanding and demonstration of customer service standards

7.     The ability to work in a small group

8.     A flexible approach and attitude

9.     Responsible, mature, honest

10. Willing to treat all patients, relatives, visitors, staff and other volunteers with consideration, politeness, dignity and respect

11. Able to accept appropriate supervision and guidance from staff

Support

You will be supported by Carol Plunkett, Charity Development and Project Manager,  who will be your main point of contact, and by your local Volunteer Co-ordinator. 

Tools for the tasks involved will be provided for you, though you may prefer to bring your own gardening gloves to wear, for reasons of infection prevention and control.

We would ask that volunteers have an up to date Tetanus booster.