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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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
For more information, please download the Information Pack. For an informal conversation about the role, please email recruitment in the first instance.
Please email recruitment with your CV and a written statement explaining how you meet the person specification and what you will bring to Thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Overview of the Role
Are you passionate about the power of plants to transform lives and communities? Do you bring horticultural expertise and a commitment to sustainable practices? Are you passionate about community growing with experience of inspiring communities and the next generation of gardeners? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
The RHS is on a mission to champion, support and connect the UK’s vibrant community gardening movement. We’re seeking a Community Gardening Advisor to help drive meaningful change through gardening. this role will focus on the Greater Manchester region where you will work alongside a broad and diverse range of community stakeholders.As the Community Gardening Advisor, you will establish a strong and supportive local network and deliver programmes of activity including training workshops and events to build community skills and capacity for groups. The role will support the direct delivery of the Green Spaces Fund in the Greater Manchester boroughs of Salford and Oldham and more widely as required.
You’ll be part of a passionate, forward-thinking team dedicated to making horticulture accessible, inclusive, and transformative. If you believe in the social value of gardening and want to help communities thrive, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.
This exciting role sits within the National Community Programmes Team in the RHS-wide Learning and Public Engagement division, which is driving a step change in how we engage audiences, inform policy and deliver learning and skills to gardeners across the UK.
Experience of working with community organisations, volunteers, young people, children, families and schools is essential. Ideally, you should have a relevant practical Horticultural Qualification to a minimum Level 2 in Horticulture or equivalent experience.
The role is home based but will include regular travel across the region. Support for travel allowance will be provided. The role is currently supported by the Greater Manchester Environment Fund and is accountable to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Green Spaces Partnership.
To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.
And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference. Our careers portal here provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.
Safeguarding and Inclusion
The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.