Job Description
Netherton Feelgood Factory, a community-based healthy living centre, is offering an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people and the environment by taking forward the development of the Netherton Community Garden and Green Hub. We are looking for an imaginative and committed person with knowledge of horticulture but also with the people skills to support and help people from the local area.
The Netherton Community Garden started life in 2016 as a vision to develop a piece of waste urban land into a garden that could be enjoyed by the community and that also would produce fresh produce to promote health and awareness of growing skills.
Since then, and thanks latterly to a National Lottery grant, the garden has begun to develop as a Green Community Hub with the aim of enabling local people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. The garden has a positive impact on the local community by providing a meeting place, a venue for skills training and a place to promote positive mental and physical health.
The Co-ordinator will also work within the Feelgood Factory as a member of the Community team.
More Details
Salary: £25,000 Hours of Work: 35 per week
This post is offered until June 30th 2028 in the first instance.
Funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund.
Job Purpose:
The co-ordination of the Netherton Community Garden to:
* promote its movement towards greater financial stability through encouraging income generation
* train, facilitate and manage volunteers and community groups to deliver projects in the Netherton Community Garden which support the Garden’s overall vision of promoting a greener local community.
In addition the postholder will operate within the Feelgood Factory as a member of the community team, facilitating at least one group aimed at socially isolated people.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Garden and maintenance
* To work closely with the Community Garden Steering Group and the staff of the Feelgood Factory to maintain the Community Garden, leading on overall scheduling for dedicated work and seasonal priorities
* To work closely with the Chief Executive in identifying and implementing moves towards making the Community Garden more financially sustainable.
* To oversee planting and re-planting areas throughout the year on an agreed schedule
* To oversee and undertake general garden maintenance, including weeding, hedge trimming, strimming and leaf blowing
* To ensure that tools are in good working order and deal with any defects immediately
Garden project facilitation
* To work with the Steering Group to develop the practical concept of the Community Garden and work with the local community to attract people into it.
* To lead on the development and subsequent delivery of garden based training and community programmes, within agreed budgets and schedules
* To ensure that volunteers are trained in the safe use of tools and equipment and supervise this where applicable
* To work with the Feelgood Factory and other local groups in recruiting local volunteers to be part of the project
* To work with the Steering Group and the Feelgood Factory to coordinate and deliver community growing days and garden-based events
* To work with the Feelgood Factory marketing team and other colleagues to ensure effective communication of the Community Garden
* To work with the Steering Group and the Feelgood Factory’s Fundraising team to undertake fundraising for the Netherton Community Garden, researching opportunities and providing materials for applications
Community work
* To work as part of the wider Feelgood Factory Community Team
* To facilitate at least one group within the Feelgood Factory aimed at alleviating social isolation
Health and safety
* To adhere to and be accountable for the health and safety procedures of the Community Garden
* To develop existing Feelgood Factory procedures and risk assessments to incorporate garden specific health and safety planning and/or risk assessments
* To ensure volunteers and visitors comply with legal and Feelgood Factory requirements