Volunteer Role: Garden Volunteer       

Volunteer Supervisor: Facilities supervisor

Location: Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

Days/Times: Flexible - You can choose to volunteer on a weekly, fortnightly or ad-hoc basis. Let us know when works for you!

Are you green-fingered with a love for the outdoors? We’re looking for garden volunteers to help us keep our hospice gardens neat and tidy. This is a very special role to support us to keep our 6.5 acres of hospice gardens a special haven for local families. You’ll be doing things like general garden maintenance and weeding, as well as planting and assisting with garden projects.

You might find this role suits you if:

• You enjoy being outdoors in nature. You don’t need to have lots of gardening knowledge, but it is helpful if you can spot a weed!
• You want to do a role that makes a direct impact to the children, young people and families who access our care. Our garden space is an important area of the hospice that is well used and enjoyed by our families so your volunteering would really make a difference.

“My wife and I have had a lot of fun and made many friendships thanks to Bluebell Wood. It has brought another dimension to our lives” – John, Bluebell Wood Volunteer

Key tasks:

Below are outlined a range of roles. We require you to assist with some or all of the following:

• General maintenance of the garden, weeding etc.
• Planting and watering
• Assisting with garden projects
• Maintaining garden furniture
• Painting fences and garden furniture

What we are looking for volunteers who:

• Have a few hours to spare either on a weekly or ad-hoc basis
• Have some basic gardening experience and knowledge
• Are friendly
• Are willing to be part of a team
• Are respectful and have good communication skills (as you will be meet families, staff and visitors who use our garden spaces). 

Dress code:

Suitable, sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for this outdoors role (weather dependent)

 

What we offer:

 

• Provision of gardening tools – is it not permissible for volunteers to use their own
• The opportunity to develop new and existing skills.
• The chance to be in a voluntary role helping to provide a special environment for the families that access our care.
• The opportunity to meet new people and be part of an enthusiastic team.
• Induction training to help you learn more about Bluebell Wood.
• Training provided in order to carry out your role, including online training.
• We’ll cover your travel expenses (in line with our policy).
• We’ll provide you with free refreshments and a free meal if you volunteer across lunchtime.

General

Bluebell Wood volunteers are asked to:

• Be a minimum of 16 years of age.
• Attend induction and any routine training.
• To complete e-learning training around areas relevant to your role.
• Abide by Bluebell Wood policies and guidance, including our Health & Safety policy.
• Co-operate and liaise with colleagues.
• Act in a professional manner at all times.
• Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet whilst volunteering in this role.
• Act as an Ambassador for the Bluebell Wood Charity.

Additional Information

• Bluebell Wood is committed to safe volunteer recruitment practices. A standard level Disclosure Barring Services (DBS) check is required for this role. These are free for volunteers.
• Please be aware that if you do not have your own transport, or live locally, the hospice is very difficult to get to by public transport. If in doubt, please check public transport routes to see if it is feasible for you to volunteer here. We are over one mile from the nearest bus stop.

Click here to apply