Experienced gardener jobs

Create is seeking a dynamic, ambitious, driven, fundraiser (grants/major gifts) with strong strategic skills, an exemplary income generation track record, and a passion for the power of the creative arts. This Senior Leadership Team position reports directly to the Chief Executive and manages a small team.

Do you believe in the power of the creative arts to connect, empower and upskill isolated and vulnerable children and adults? Are you passionate about relationship building, storytelling, meeting targets and changing lives? Are you excited to use your extensive senior-level fundraising experience, knowledge and contacts to lead Create’s income generation from Trusts & Foundations (T&F), public sector and High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI)? 

We are a large-scale, unique and dynamic hospitality and charity project in the Northwest Highlands with strong philanthropic and community commitments. The heart of our operation is on a remote and beautiful 800-acre island and with new exciting developments on the mainland of the Scottish Highlands including a farm and a hotel.   

As our new gardens and food production areas expand both on island and on mainland, with new glasshouses, the recovery of historical agricultural grounds being added to our existing orchards, kitchen gardens and greenhouses, our Head of Gardens and Growing is looking to grow the gardens team.

We are looking for a gardener to join the team and help in producing food for our staff and guests in our tough but bountiful environment at 58°N, while maintaining an impeccable aesthetic centred round heritage, sympathetic materials and craft.

Our land management approach balances production, nature, and heritage, with an emphasis on using the land to build communities. We aim to deliver a year-round supply of fresh and preserved produce, while also fostering soil health and a mosaic of ecosystems blurring the boundaries of productive gardens and wild spaces. This is a core role in the garden team and will involve working closely with the kitchen, land and guest teams, charitable beneficiaries and volunteers, and of course many hours wrestling with our challenging climate and peaty soil.

GROWTH

We are looking for a professional horticulturist: a confident organic gardener, ideally with an interest in agroecological, no-till and regenerative growing principles and potentially in horticultural therapy.  As well as being accomplished in gardening especially vegetable production growing, a strong part of the role will be facilitating guests, school groups and volunteers. There will be many opportunities for training and professional development. The salary for this role will be £29-37k per annum, depending on experience.

COMMUNITIES

Our team is diverse, driven, and hails from across the country and further afield. We have our own growing island community of staff, guests and volunteers, while also being embedded in mainland life in nearby crofting townships and villages. There are opportunities to work with different teams, help look after our animals, beekeeping, sail heritage boats and get involved with island life. We will be happy to discuss flexible shift patterns and shared accommodation with the right candidate.

ENVIRONMENT

You will be working in an area of outstanding natural and cultural heritage amid a range of unique Northwest Highland marine and terrestrial ecosystems, which we are striving to conserve and extend. We foster a culture of care, attention to detail, and creativity in everything we deliver for the Charitable Trust for which we work, from looking after our guests, staff and local communities to growing and sourcing our food to restoring buildings and landscapes.

We are looking for a capable, self-motivated and flexible individual with excellent communication and organisation skills, and a good sense of humour, who will thrive on a challenging project. If you think this role might be for you then please send your CV and cover letter to us. The closing date for applications will be Friday 24th July and we are looking for someone to start work as early as possible. First interviews will be held by Teams, followed up by a visit to the island as the next stage for shortlisted candidates- date tbc.

Thrive, we are working towards creating a future where people with ill health, disability or disadvantage experience the life-changing benefits of gardening and nature.

‘It’s a joy to see the life changing impact of our services and to know that my job really makes a difference.’

We’re looking for a supportive and proactive Centre Manager who can enable our passionate and committed Reading team to deliver an excellent service for client gardeners.

Confident business development skills are needed to identify new partnerships and expand our programme delivery to ensure the continued sustainability of the centre. Creativity, problem solving, prioritising and the ability to manage a diverse workload, where each day is different, is key in this role.

If you are a people-focused manager with experience of working in social care or charities, Thrive can offer you a varied and rewarding challenge.

Appointment to this post will be subject to 2 references and  a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. Thrive complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an individual from working for Thrive.

Are you a skilled and reliable handyperson with a passion for creating safe, welcoming environments?

We are looking for a Gardener / Handyperson to support our Leicestershire Residential Children's Services on a part-time permanent basis.

At Barnardo's, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality services that support some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the country. In this role, you will play an important part in ensuring our residential homes are safe, secure, and well-maintained environments where young people can thrive.

Location

Leicestershire – locality working.

This role requires travel between sites. Our homes are located in Hinckley, Coalville, Market Harborough, Syston, Mountsorrel and Leicester. A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle (with fully comprehensive insurance including business use) is essential.

Hours

16 hours per week.
Flexible working pattern to be agreed.

Key Responsibilities

This list is not exhaustive but will include:

• Undertaking minor routine maintenance and repairs
• General gardening and upkeep of outdoor spaces
• Assembling flat-pack furniture and installing shelves and curtain poles
• Window cleaning (excluding excessive heights)
• Deep cleaning of carpets and surfaces as required
• Clearing minor drain blockages
• Moving furniture and equipment, including larger items across sites
• Completing health and safety checks and reporting any concerns to the Manager
• Ensuring all tools and equipment are clean, properly maintained, stored safely, and used in accordance with safety procedures
• Supporting the security of premises and ensuring homes remain safe environments

Essential Requirements

Applicants must clearly evidence in their application:

• A full UK driving licence and access to their own vehicle with comprehensive business-use insurance
• Experience of general maintenance and minor construction work (professional or demonstrable practical experience)
• Knowledge of the safe use and storage of tools, materials, and equipment
• Ability to identify matters requiring attention and take appropriate action
• Ability to take responsibility for the security of project premises
• Strong written and spoken English
• The ability to communicate positively and appropriately with young people

Barnardo's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and safer recruitment procedures.

When completing your application, please refer to your skills, knowledge, and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description, and Additional Information document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of working within a residential children's home environment.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Benefits

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors 
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.

About Hackney School of Food

Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.

Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.

We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.

Key priorities

In your first 12 months you will:

• Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.

• Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

• Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.

• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.

• Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives. 

• Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.

• Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.

• Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures. 

• Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
   

Financial sustainability and income generation 

• Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.

• Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.

• Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.

• Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations. 

• Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation. 

Governance and public benefit 

• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit. 

• Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.

• Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.

• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.

• Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.

• Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks. 

• Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.

People, Culture and safeguarding

• Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. 

• Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.

• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles. 

• Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.

• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements. 

• Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.

• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation. 

• Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation. 

Personal specification

Essential experience 

• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability. 

• Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.

• Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.

• Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery. 

• Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.

• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.

Essential skills and attributes

• Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection. 

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership. 

• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.

• Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.

• Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills. 

• Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability. 

• Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.

• Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.

• Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.

• Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.

An inclusive workplace

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.

You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information. 

Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July) 

Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation. 

We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment. 

The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references. 

We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.

If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.

SCHEME MANAGER

Are you looking for a varied, people-focused property role?

Do you want to make a real difference to a resident community?

The Trust Partnership provides management services to almshouse charities, supporting residents and ensuring high-quality property and community management. They are now seeking a dedicated and proactive Scheme Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of a site in Southwark.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys a hands-on, people-focused role combining property management with community support.

About you:

• Experience in housing, estate or property management
• Strong organisational and IT skills
• Confident communication skills with a professional approachable manner
• Able to work independently and manage a varied workload
• Calm, practical and resident-focused approach

About the role:

• Manage daily site operations and contractors
• Support resident wellbeing and maintain positive communication
• Ensure safety, security and high site standards
• Maintain records and support compliance and allocations

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the site, maintaining high standards of property care, and supporting resident wellbeing. 

This role is subject to a DBS check.

If you feel you have the skills and experience to be successful in this role then please submit your CV and a supporting statement via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. 

Please see the JD and PS for full details. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Sandra Smith, Senior Consultant at Charisma Charity Recruitment.

• Closing date for applications: 28th July 2026
• Interview date: TBC

Applications are being reviewed on receipt and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.

Do you want to make a positive difference to the lives of others? 

Barnet Mencap has been helping people with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults in the London Borough of Barnet for over 65 years. We provide supported accommodation, leisure and learning activities, information, advice, and guidance, and so much more. All while being committed to equal opportunities and the safeguarding of children and adults. 

We know job satisfaction, flexibility, work/life balance, and a great team are incredibly important. So, at Barnet Mencap, in addition to offering 30 days of annual leave per year (including Bank Holidays), we have a TOIL system to allow flexible working, and our team can benefit from other perks, including the Blue Light Card. Please note that this is predominantly an office-based and community role, but there may be the possibility of home working, subject to the needs of the project. 

We are seeking two Deputy Managers to support adults with moderate learning disabilities and autistic adults to live independently. One post will lead the Shared Houses team, and the other will lead the Outreach team. 

  The role will suit you if you:  

• have two years’ experience of working with adults with a learning disability and autistic people in a community setting  

• have the passion to enable people with a learning disability and autistic people to participate fully in decisions that affect their lives  

• understand the issues faced by people with a learning disability and autistic people living independently and have the skills to meet their practical, social and emotional needs  

• have a good working knowledge of safeguarding issues  

• have experience of managing and supervising staff  

• have excellent communication and IT skills  

• are working towards (or would like to work towards) a management diploma/NVQ Level 5 

Please read the Person Specification and Job Descriptions for more details, and if you have any questions, please get in touch.