Experienced gardener jobs

Are you looking for a fulfilling role where you can make a real difference? 

We have an exciting opportunity at our London Battersea centre to support the day-to-day operations of our client services team.

Thrive is a national charity that uses gardening to change lives. We’re looking for a

Client Services Coordinator (Client Gardeners) who will provide office and operational

support to our delivery team.

Working as a key part of the team at Thrive in London, the Client Services Coordinator

will provide administrative support  and be responsible for the client gardener referral

functions at the centre. The successful candidate will have administrative and

organisational skills and up to date IT knowledge.

Appointment to this post will be subject to 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.

conversation about the role, please email recruitment in

Role Description

Working closely with colleagues and project partners, the Volunteer Manager will lead the recruitment, training, development and management of volunteers across the Cathedral and Abbey site as part of the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The postholder will develop and implement a comprehensive volunteering strategy, ensuring volunteers are recruited safely, supported effectively and equipped with the skills to deliver a wide range of roles. The role will promote an inclusive volunteering culture, strengthen partnerships and ensure volunteers make a meaningful contribution to the Cathedral, the Abbey site and the wider heritage project.

About Our Volunteers

Volunteers are at the heart of Cathedral life and make an invaluable contribution to worship, welcome, learning, heritage, visitor engagement and events. Current volunteer opportunities are wide and varied, including Bell Ringers, Guides, Flower Arrangers, Shop Volunteers, Learning Volunteers, Sunday Morning Coffee Volunteers, St Ed's Singers, Gardeners, Young Families Volunteers, Servers, Events Volunteers, Vergers and Welcome and Information Volunteers. The Volunteer Manager will support these established teams while developing new opportunities as the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project progresses.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Strategy and Leadership

• Develop, implement and review the Cathedral's Volunteering Strategy.
• Lead the development of a sustainable volunteer programme.
• Ensure volunteering reflects sector best practice and supports the Cathedral's strategic objectives.
• Build strong working relationships with volunteer team leaders and provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for volunteers.

Recruitment, Induction and Volunteer Management

• Lead the recruitment, induction and ongoing management of volunteers across a wide range of roles.
• Ensure all volunteer recruitment complies with Church of England Safer Recruitment principles, including references and DBS checks where required.
• Develop and maintain volunteer role descriptions in partnership with volunteer team leaders.
• Maintain an accurate volunteer database, matching volunteers' skills and interests with organisational needs.
• Produce, maintain and regularly review the Volunteer Handbook.
• Receive volunteer feedback, concerns and ideas, escalating issues where appropriate.

Training and Development

• Design, coordinate and deliver volunteer induction, training and ongoing development programmes.
• Identify opportunities for volunteers to develop new skills.
• Ensure safeguarding and mandatory training remains current and accurately recorded.
• Regularly review volunteer practices to maintain high standards of service and visitor experience.

Inclusion, Engagement and Communications

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility throughout the volunteer programme.
• Develop recruitment approaches that encourage applications from underrepresented communities and remove barriers to participation.
• Implement an effective volunteer communications plan to keep volunteers informed, engaged and recognised.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager to promote volunteering opportunities and celebrate volunteer achievements. Key Responsibilities

Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with partners including English Heritage, Historic England, West Suffolk Council and local organisations to ensure a consistent and positive volunteer experience across the Cathedral, Abbey and wider heritage site.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with community organisations across the region.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Budget Management

• Collect, monitor and analyse volunteer data, including volunteer numbers, hours and feedback.
• Support project evaluation and reporting requirements for the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project.
• Produce regular reports identifying trends, achievements and future opportunities.
• Prepare and manage the volunteer budget, monitoring expenditure and reporting against forecasts.

Visitor Experience

• Ensure volunteers contribute to an outstanding visitor experience for all users of the Cathedral, including worshippers, pilgrims, tourists and event attendees.
• Support volunteers in presenting a welcoming, professional and inclusive image of the Cathedral in all interactions with visitors and stakeholders.

General Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to the Cathedral's values, mission and inclusive culture.
• Work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers and the wider congregation.
• Comply with all organisational policies relating to safeguarding, health and safety, equality, data protection and other statutory requirements.
• Work flexibly, including occasional evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. Time off in lieu will normally be provided, with overtime payable for agreed external events where applicable.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Chief Operating Officer.

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

• Managing volunteers across a range of roles using recognised best practice.
• Developing and implementing volunteer strategies, policies and procedures.
• Recruiting, inducting, training and supporting volunteers.
• Working successfully with paid staff and volunteers. Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on projects or programmes.
• Developing partnerships with community organisations, charities or public bodies.
• Leading teams within a visitor-focused environment.
• Line management, partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
• Working with diverse communities and promoting inclusive participation.

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to influence, motivate and build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively within a heritage, commercial and place of worship environment.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Personal Attributes

• Understanding of the Cathedral's role as a place of worship, welcome, heritage and community engagement.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Collaborative, approachable and committed to excellent visitor and volunteer experiences.
• High Emotional Intelligence

Desirable Qualities

• Experience within a cathedral, church or heritage organisation.
• Background in heritage, tourism, hospitality or the cultural sector.
• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Awareness of the ministry, mission and civic role of the Church of England and its cathedrals

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of London’s leading city farms and play a key role in providing nature and habitats, opportunities, education, training to the local community and beyond. As a small yet growing charitable

organisation, this also offers candidates an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Vauxhall City Farm turns 50 in 2026, and you will join a team that is committed, enthusiastic and future focused.

The Community Gardener will provide continuity for the Community Garden and horticultural areas across Vauxhall City Farm during the substantive postholder’s sabbatical.

The role combines practical organic horticulture, ecological site management, habitat creation, volunteer leadership and inclusive community programme delivery. The postholder will ensure that the gardens are productive, biodiverse, welcoming and managed in a way that reflects The Farm’s commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility and community participation.

This is an exciting opportunity for an excellent communicator with experience in collaboration and partnership working who is keen to make good quality income maximisation advice and support accessible to families across Scotland.

As Development Officer (Income Maximisation in Schools) you will play a lead role in looking at the actions needed at different levels to sustainably embed advice in schools across Scotland. You’ll be involving and engaging schools, advice services and other partners to develop practical recommendations which can be used to improve provision nationally. You will also be helping to develop resources and professional learning to increase awareness and confidence in schools around financial entitlements and pathways to income maximisation support.

You will be based within the Cost of the School Day team at CPAG in Scotland and will work closely with Welfare Rights, Digital and Policy colleagues.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

For more information about this post and to apply, download the Development Officer (Income Maximisation in Schools) job pack and application form.

If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process please contact us at.

Closing date for applications: 11.59pm 16 August 2026

Interviews will be held at our Glasgow office in person on: 25 August 2026 

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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Garden Manager

Location: Fullers Mill Garden, West Stow, Suffolk

Accountable to: Commercial Development Director

Staff reports: The Gardens team, Visitor Services team

Fullers Mill Garden is an enchanting and tranquil waterside and woodland garden, situated on the banks of the River Lark at West Stow in Suffolk. It combines a beautiful site of light dappled woodland with a fabulous collection of rare and unusual shrubs, perennials, lilies and marginal plants, collected over the course of 50 years by the creator of the garden, the late Bernard Tickner MBE.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead Fullers Mill Garden into its next chapter as a Perennial garden, maintaining and evolving a beautiful garden with a team of gardeners, volunteers and trainees – to give our garden loving visitors a magical experience on each visit. The garden is currently undergoing a process of proposed investment in its visitor infrastructure. The Garden Manager will be a key member of the project team.

Overall purpose

1. Through high standards of garden and landscape management and garden maintenance, ensure that the history, ecology, evolved design and artistic integrity of Fullers Mill and other grounds associated with the site are conserved and presented to an exemplary standard.

2. To recruit, train, manage and develop staff to achieve high standards of garden presentation and visitor satisfaction.

3. To build a culture that makes involvement in the garden a rewarding, rich and enjoyable experience for visitors, volunteers and staff.

4. To identify and develop opportunities for the promotion of the garden and the development of the visitor experience managing partnerships and relationships

Main responsibilities and duties

1. Management of gardens and landscape

a. To be responsible for the maintenance and management of the garden and its associated landscape within an approved budget.

b. To maintain high standards of garden and facilities presentation at all times.

c. Responsible for the day to day running of the garden and supervision of staff, volunteers and contractors to ensure that appropriate horticultural and service standards are maintained.

d. To oversee the management and delivery of educational, training and skills activities and events, utilising the facilities and buildings within the site.

e. To undertake the direct delivery of activities on selected topics relating to horticulture and the garden.

f. To contribute as a key member of the Perennial project team in the formulation and delivery of the plan for the long-term future of Fullers Mill garden and buildings.

g. To co-ordinate the Fullers Mill Garden Committee, establishing sound relationships with its members and utilising their knowledge and experience in maintaining and developing the garden.

2. Financial Management:

a. Work alongside the Commercial Development Director to manage allocated budgets, prepare and provide bids for capital expenditure and small projects associated with the site.

3. Staff management, training and development:

a. To be responsible for staff recruitment, training and development of competencies to deliver agreed maintenance and presentation standards and to be responsible for staff welfare, discipline and other employee issues in consultation with the organisations central support team.

4. Projects and coordination:

a. To participate in the project team overseeing the creation of new visitor facilities and infrastructure;

b. To manage and oversee work delivered by external contractors or agencies.

c. To ensure a coordinated approach for all site-based garden maintenance, development, visitor facilities and services and to effectively manage change as appropriate.

5. Business Development and Public Relations:

a. To work with the marketing team to explore and deliver initiatives both nationally and regionally to increase awareness of both the charity and its gardens.

b. Where appropriate explore and support local marketing opportunities to encourage greater access for visitors, to identify and engage in opportunities which promote the charity and the garden as a high quality visitor attraction.

c. To act as site representative, promoting the charity and the garden to ensure positive relationships.

6. Documentation:

a. To ensure that all site documentation is maintained and distributed where appropriate.

b. To create and maintain records relating to changes to the garden through maintenance, restoration and conservation.

c. Maintain appropriate records for the effective management of staff, equipment, machinery and health and safety on site.

7. Health and Safety:

a. To conduct, review and maintain all risk assessments across site

b. To ensure all staff and volunteers are trained and have a good understanding of health and safety requirements where applicable

c. To ensure correct PPE and COSHH records are reviewed and maintained

d. To ensure correct documentation and risk assessments are provided by external contractors

8. Other:

a. Any other duties as instructed by the line manager that may be required within the general purpose of the job.

PERSON SPECIFICATION (E = essential; D = desirable)

1. Experience and Qualifications

a. Managing a garden of quality to a high standard (E)

b. RHS level 3 or equivalent qualified by experience (D

c. Managing and controlling complex budgets to reduce costs and exceed income targets

d. Staff management within a horticultural, conservation or visitor attraction setting (E)

e. Experience of visitor attractions (E)

f. Representation and speaking in public (E)

g. Health and safety in a garden environment (E)

h. Working with and leading volunteers (E)

i. Willingness to develop professionally and to undertake training (E)

j. Holder of HSE recognised First Aid at Work certificate (D)

k. Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (D)

l. IOSH trained (D)

2. Circumstances

a. Holder of a full UK driving licence (E)

b. Able to work flexibly, including weekend rotational working hours in season (E)

MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

General: This is a full-time post working 5 days across 7.

Location: Fullers Mill Garden, West Stow, Suffolk

Salary: £42,000 + benefits

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Pension: up to 7% employer’s contribution to matched employee contribution to the

charity’s stakeholder pension.

Holidays: 25 days per annum plus Bank holidays

General: Sick pay; death in service benefit (3 x salary); Perennial has a number of well-established flexible working policies including ‘buying’ extra (unpaid) leave, time off for dependents, variations to normal working hours, private health care on completion of probation

The outline of terms and conditions are provided for information only and do not represent a contract.

Closing date for applications is midnight on 2nd August 2026 Interview dates TBC

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive sufficient applications.