Allotment Volunteer Opportunity
Step Together Volunteering helps people who are excluded from society to participate in volunteering and build a more positive future. A quarter of our beneficiaries are young people who are: leaving care; young carers; at risk of homelessness; young offenders; teenage parents; or have experienced domestic violence and abuse. Through our programmes we seek to enable our clients to integrate into their local communities, improve mental and physical well-being, develop positive social networks, and increase transition to education and sustainable employment.
We have our very own allotment project in South Bristol where our
young people can come together in a sociable and safe environment to learn about growing
and cooking food. To support this project, we are looking for a couple of Volunteers to support our Sessional Worker and lead on-site to help run activities, develop and maintain the site.
About the role
- You’ll be encouraged to participate and 'buddy' small groups on various activities, from gardening and planting, to recycling projects and crafts activities; enabling people to explore and develop new skills.
- This volunteer role will include activities such as:
▪ Assisting the Sessional Worker and volunteer team in the day-to-day planning and running of gardening activities involving our young people;
▪ Undertaking a variety of allotment duties, some that may be physical such as digging and helping cultivate the land to grow a range of plants and vegetables. Also helping to upcycle items and materials.
▪ Supporting and motivating young people to engage in activities; with a view to group working, improving wellbeing and learning about food, for example, how it is grown, prepared and cooked.
▪ Helping to maintain the allotment site and the general health and safety of beneficiaries and visitors at all times.
▪ Guiding and overseeing specific areas of the garden as the project develops and helping individuals explore their skills and share ideas for the development of the allotment site.
▪ Reporting on any issues or concerns arising, including potential safeguarding matters (appropriate Safeguarding training will be provided).
There will be training relevant to this role.
Availability
- Ideally, you will be able to donate a minimum of 3 hours of your time each week and up
to 6 hours if you are able to cover both of our bi-weekly sessions. - The volunteering activities in this role can be undertaken flexibly but will need to fit around the availability of both the clients on the programme, the Sessional Worker who leads on site and the volunteer’s availability.
- These sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at our allotment in Goulston Road, Bishopsworth, and we are looking for someone who can ideally start as soon as possible. The site is on a good bus link and there is ample parking in the local residency if you drive.
About you
- You will enjoy working outdoors in all kinds of weathers and working with young people.
- Experience of working with young people, and preferably those with complex needs would be a distinct advantage but this is by no means essential.
- Friendly and approachable, you will be intuitive to the needs of people with mental and physical health issues and those who are feel excluded from society because of their gender/sexuality, ethnicity and religious beliefs.
- Able to travel independently in their local community.
- Comfortable volunteering either alone or with others
We believe everyone has opportunity to be an active and contributing member of the community and our volunteers will share our vision in enabling people with complex needs to change their lives through active involvement in this community project.
How to apply
To apply, please complete a volunteer application form (available to download from www.step-together.org.uk) and send to admin@step-together.org.uk. All applications for volunteering are subject to a satisfactory DBS check and two references.
A full role description can be found here:
Allotment_Volunteer_YP_Bristol.pdf (hubble-live-assets.s3.amazonaws.com)
Step Together Volunteering is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications
from all groups including individuals who have 'lived' experience. If you need documents in an alternative format or require any adjustments or support, please contact us at admin@step-together.org.uk or 0117 9559042.