Gardening jobs in Winsford

Job Summary
We are looking for a patient and compassionate gardener to join our Care Farm team, supporting adults with learning disabilities at Fordhall Organic Farm.

With experience and passion for organic growing and DIY, you will support and empower vulnerable adults to achieve new heights, building their independence and feeling of self-worth.. We use the process of gardening to provide a beautiful place for our visitors to enjoy and to provide food for our participants to take home, but at the heart of this role is nurturing people and their independence. Working within a dedicated team you will actively contribute and develop the long-term Care Farm offer at Fordhall, ensuring your own unique skills and strengths are utilised for the benefit of those involved.

Working alongside our Therapeutic Garden Lead, you will empower and facilitate opportunities for our volunteer workers to be involved in all aspects of Fordhall, specifically within growing organic food, nurturing the soil, woodworking and conservation/ecology work. Nurturing these spaces, sharing knowledge as well as providing opportunities for an individual’s progression will be a key aspect of your role. As a result, you will be adaptable to working with the seasons and delivering outdoor sessions appropriate to the time of year.

Key results from your role will be seen as our volunteer workers increase their practical skills and confidence. Appropriate AQA or alternative certificates will be awarded to support a clear progression path, with different opportunities being provided to different individuals appropriate to their needs. Growing spaces will become more productive and opportunities will be grasped and developed and your enthusiasm for growing and the soil are shared with the team.

You will work in collaboration with the Therapeutic Gardening Lead and other team members to implement our collective vision, using your practical knowledge and nurturing approach to help shape the service and increase the potential of what we can offer.

As a member of the team, you will be committed to challenging yourself and committed to bringing the best part of ‘you’ to the role.

Responsibilities

• To proactively engage with developments within the garden setting, suggesting ecological improvements or gardening activities suitable for the group. Including:
• Perform regular garden maintenance tasks including planting, weeding, pruning, composting and mulching.
• Irrigate plants effectively to promote healthy growth.
• Utilise hand tools and power tools safely and efficiently for various gardening tasks.
• Conduct groundskeeping duties to maintain the overall appearance of the landscape.
• Monitor plant health and identify any issues such as pests or diseases, implementing appropriate organic solutions.
• Assist in the design and layout of new garden areas or landscaping projects.
• To be jointly responsible for maintaining the organic growing areas and storage spaces, ensuring a safe and tidy site. Co-ordinating the general cleaning and maintenance of greenhouse, shed, storage areas, all internal external areas used by the group.
• To support the planning and delivery of basic wood working projects and gardening activities.
• To support the delivery of an activity planned by another member of the team.
• Step up as ‘Session Lead’ as required during periods of holiday/sickness cover and cover for staff absence.
• When leading care farm sessions you will supervise/guide external support workers and volunteers safely, including safe use of tools and ensuring appropriate risk assessments are in place.
• Support people attending the care farm to ensure they are safe and welcomed, and are able to carry out the activities to best of their abilities.
• To work with empathy and understanding to support, guide and empower our participants to achieve their potential and improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
• When required, to liaise and communicate with carers, family members, professionals and other external agencies.
• To help make the farm an interesting and safe place for care farm participants, staff and visitors.
• Be actively involved in the gathering and documentation of individual’s achievement. Keep all appropriate records and information up to date, provide any information and documentation required and prepare regular reports on the day’s activities, including individual evaluations to help make sure there is accurate and timely information available to evidence our impact.
• Undertake training and continuous professional development in accordance with the needs of the service and the people we support.
• To be organised and have good written communication skills necessary for record-keeping, evaluations, social media and newsletter items.
• Comply with Fordhall’s health and safety policies, including protection of vulnerable adults and child protection policies. Comply with Health and Safety Legislation, food hygiene and other relevant policies and procedures.
• During the course of your work, it is expected that members of the team will be required to support community open days/events to help showcase the work of the care farm. These could be on weekends or during the week. Members of the care farm team should expect to be asked to attend these on rotation.
• When leading care farm sessions, you will responsible for the supervision of external support workers and volunteers, safe use of tools; ensuring appropriate risk assessments are in place and all safeguarding measures are taken.
• To undertake any other duties within your skill and which may be required to ensure the smooth and successful running of the organisation.

Experience / Attributes

• A caring attitude, empathetic and understanding and an empowering approach to guiding others.
• A qualification or extensive practical experience in horticulture (preferably organic), perhaps you are a keen gardener and have completed a Permaculture course. The knowledge and approach are most important to us.
• An ability to creatively guide and plan simple woodworking projects with appropriate tools.
• A qualification or extensive experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and/or other support needs
• Experience of coaching / supporting individuals with specific needs.
• Experience of working with and supervising staff and volunteers
• Experience using hand tools and power tools relevant to gardening tasks is vital.
• A passion for growing plants organically and maintaining gardens is essential for success in this role.

If you have a love for nature and people and enjoy working outdoors, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity as a Therapeutic Gardener.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this position you must complete an application form, which can be downloaded from our website www.fordhallfarm.com/jobs

Please note: Applications received direct through Indeed, without using our application form above will NOT be accepted.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: From £12.65 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 12.5 per week

Benefits:

• Store discount

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends
• Overtime

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 06/07/2025