We are committed to communities where older people flourish, by providing opportunities for our residents to enjoy treasured relationships, exercise choice and feel valued. When you join the St Monica Trust, you’ll be part of an organisation built on 100 years of trust, thanks to the people who work for us. Our benefits and perks for permanent and fixed term jobs include a generous pension scheme, Life Assurance, at least 23 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, access to retail and other discounts, subsidised gym, restaurant, free parking and much more! Hours: 40 hours per week Hourly rate: £10.87 per hour Grow Your Future Whilst Creating Beautiful Spaces Where People Flourish At St Monica Trust, we believe gardens are where communities come to life. As an Apprentice Gardener, you'll nurture the outdoor spaces that bring joy to our residents whilst developing your horticultural expertise through our Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative Apprenticeship with Bridgwater and Taunton College. Why This Role Matters Your work creates the beautiful environments where our residents connect, relax, and thrive. Every lawn you maintain, every border you tend, and every interaction you have helps build the caring communities that are at the heart of everything we do. You're not just maintaining gardens—you're cultivating spaces where people feel valued, included, and inspired. What You'll Be Doing Maintaining lawns, borders, flowerbeds, paths, ponds, and indoor planting to create stunning environments for residents to enjoy Supporting residents who wish to engage in gardening activities, sharing your growing knowledge and passion Collaborating with the wider Estates team on security, maintenance, and event preparation duties Participating in comprehensive training programmes to develop your horticultural expertise and understanding of our communities Contributing to the collection of recycling and waste, demonstrating your dedication to environmental responsibility What You'll Get In Return Joining St Monica Trust means becoming part of a values-led organisation where people are at the heart of everything we do. Aside from your apprenticeship training, you'll also get: A comprehensive learning programme leading to a Level 2 Horticulture and Landscape Operative qualification with Bridgwater and Taunton College Hands-on experience across diverse garden environments, from formal landscapes to wildlife areas A supportive, community-focused team environment where your development is prioritised and your contribution makes a real difference to residents' daily lives What You'll Bring A genuine interest in working as a gardener and developing your career in horticulture Strong teamwork abilities and willingness to collaborate effectively with colleagues across all departments Adaptability and eagerness to learn new skills whilst adjusting to different tasks and environments Initiative and enthusiasm for taking on responsibilities whilst learning proactively Reliability, punctuality, and commitment to delivering excellent service Current, clean full driving licence or ability to travel efficiently across our villages Why This Role Is For You If you're passionate about creating beautiful outdoor spaces and believe every garden has the power to enrich lives, this apprenticeship is your perfect starting point. You'll develop professional skills whilst making a tangible difference in our vibrant communities. Working alongside experienced gardeners who care deeply about their craft, you'll grow your expertise in an environment that values learning, innovation, and the meaningful impact you can make on residents' lives. Ready to Take the Next Step? Apply now! Key results Undertake most gardening and grounds duties for the Trust, including the maintenance of lawns, borders, flowerbeds, paths, ponds, and indoor planting. excluding the use of vehicles e.g. ride on mowers Provide a high-quality service to our customers, supporting residents, should they wish to engage in gardening activities and responding appropriately to queries from residents, colleagues, or visitors. Work with the wider Estates team carrying out additional security and maintenance duties in line with the Trust’s policies and procedures and health and safety legislation. Assist the wider estates team with additional duties such as the set-up for site events and activities and timely collection of recycling and waste. Undertake training within the team and the wider Trust to further understand the role of the gardens and estates team Participate in team training and updates in use of equipment and horticultural knowledge Skills and experience Communication Write notes and messages – numeracy, literacy, and verbal skills. Communicate with people with differing communication needs. Encourage and influence. Understand and follow instructions and procedures. Strong customer service skills. Mixed methods and mediums of communication. Thinking style Analyses and evaluates given information. Adapts style and approach appropriate to situation or task. Structures tasks/activities. Pre-empts issues and trouble-shoots. Refers appropriate decisions to line manager. Identify and recommend learning and development areas for colleagues. Challenge, or suggest new ways of working, to promote the efficiency of the unit or team. Well-being and Values Demonstrate interest, care, and attention. Create a positive impression. Reliable, dependable, and professional Collaborate with residents – tailoring service to meet individual needs. Promptly respond to or refer to team leader/line manager (as appropriate to role), issues of residents or colleagues’ health or well-being. Understand the needs of older people and people with dementia (including willingness and motivation to learn). Aware of cultural and individual differences in all interactions and service areas. Working with others Works effectively as part of a team. Builds relationships of trust with others (team, residents, and their family & friends). Potential exposure to challenging, physical or emotional situations. Other Skills and Qualifications Essential Genuine interest in working as a gardener Teamwork – Ability to collaborate effectively with others. Adaptability – Willingness to learn and adjust to new tasks or environments Initiative – Showing eagerness to take on responsibilities and learn proactively. Work Ethic – Being reliable, punctual, and committed to doing a good job Desirable Current, clean full driving licence or ability to travel efficiently across our villages To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you should meet the following criteria: Aged 16–18 : You must be willing to work towards achieving Functional Skills Level 1 in English and maths if you haven’t already achieved them. Aged 19 or over : You are not required to hold English or maths qualifications to complete the apprenticeship, but you may choose to study them as part of your training. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and will support you in developing your skills throughout the programme. Additional information Duties must be carried out in compliance with St Monica Trust’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. This role profile contains the principal accountabilities relating to this post and does not describe in detail all the duties required to carry them out. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and this means that any criminal conviction, including spent convictions, must be made known at the time of the application If you have any queries please email our Recruitment Team - recruitment@stmonicatrust.org.uk