Gardening Maintenance Volunteer - Bushey Fields

Job overview

Purpose of volunteering role:

To support the Occupational Therapy team with developing and maintaining therapeutic garden spaces at Bushey Fields Mental Health Hospital.

This is a voluntary role which is unpaid.

Disclaimer: This opportunity is subject to the successful completion of  employment checks (DBS, ID, references and relevant e-learning). This role is voluntary and unpaid, and you are free to leave at any time. However, by remaining in the role for a reasonable period, both you and the organisation will gain the greatest benefit from the  experience.     We also actively encourage individuals with lived experience to apply for our vacancies.  Please note that we are unable to accept recent service users into roles within the same site or service where they received care. This helps maintain clear boundaries, protects confidentiality, and ensures individuals have enough distance from their own recovery to feel  confident and supported in a volunteer role.

Main duties of the job

Examples of how you can help us:

• We are looking for a Gardening Volunteer who feels confident in using their horticulture/gardening knowledge and expertise to help grow and maintain the gardens and green spaces at Bushey Fields.
• The role involves carrying out practical gardening tasks such as planting, pruning, weeding, path maintenance, and general allotment‑style upkeep
• We are seeking someone who can work independently, take initiative, and bring fresh ideas to enhance the garden in ways that support patient recovery.
• We are looking for a volunteer who can offer a few hours of support each week, between a Monday to Thursday.
• Desirable - The team would also welcome someone who can support the Thursday afternoon 'Nature Space' gardening group with patients, and who can contribute ideas for meaningful outdoor activities that patients may enjoy.
• Must be able to travel to Bushey Fields Hospital (travel expenses can be reimbursed)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for volunteers who have these qualities:

• Demonstrates good horticultural or gardening skills - whether gained through paid work or personal projects.
• Some awareness of mental health issues.
• Confident in sharing skills and supporting individuals with varying abilities, offering guidance in a patient and inclusive manner.
• Demonstrates good communication skills and is friendly and welcoming, able to engage comfortably with patients and staff
• Able to follow confidentiality policy and professional boundaries to keep themselves and patients safe.
• Ability to use digital technology for e-learning training (we can support you with this)
• Reliability - desirable that volunteers can support regularly, to provide stability to the team/patients and themselves.
• Live in the Black Country, within a reasonable travel distance to site.
• Volunteers must be over 18

Our Trust Values:

Caring

We care for everyone as individuals, being compassionate, empathetic and kind with a willingness to help.

Enabling

We enable ourselves and others to act with confidence and authority in order to achieve the best outcome for everyone.

Working Together

We work together in partnership, being inclusive by understanding and valuing others to achieve the best results for everyone in everything we do.

Integrity

We act with transparency and honesty; respecting and valuing others to do the right thing at the right time for everyone.

We’re committed to building a workforce and culture that reflects our varied population – and to create a culture of belonging. We always engage and involve when making key decisions, regardless of role or level. For example, we have worked closely with staff, patients, community groups and other key partners, in putting together our clinical strategy.

Due to the nature of our work some volunteering roles may be subject to a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service as stipulated under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from volunteering with us; this will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.