Garden jobs

Could you help people improve their health and well-being through gardening? Do you have experience of working in a community gardening or health and social care setting? At Thrive, our Practitioners work with plants and people to improve an individual’s physical and psychological health, social interaction. skills and confidence.

We’re looking for a Specialist STH Practitioner to provide high quality and effective Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) programmes for adults in our gardens in Battersea Park and outreach settings.

Working alongside volunteers this role will support people with learning disabilities, autism, long term health conditions or disabilities. Delivering horticulture qualifications for client gardeners, as an assessor or IQA for the City & Guild Level 1 Practical Horticulture Skills.

Based at Thrive’s London Centre in Battersea Park. The role will involve some work undertaken off-site in London and occasional travel to the Thrive Centres in Reading and Birmingham. 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.

Sydenham Garden is seeking a Community Activities & Volunteering Lead on a Fixed term contract to end of December 2027 to join our team of 14 staff and approximately 70 volunteers in delivering adult mental health and dementia services in our beautiful garden settings in south-east London. 

Position: Community Activities & Volunteering Lead

Contract: Fixed term to 31st December 2027, full time - 37.5 hours per week. Some regular working outside Monday-Friday 9-5 may be required, for which TOIL will be available. Part time and flexible working applications also considered.

Salary: £32,644 plus 6% pension contribution.

Annual Leave: 33 days inclusive of Bank Holidays.

Location: Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, SE23 2LW & De Frene Market Garden, SE26 4AB.

Application closing date: Thursday 5 March 2026, 9am.

Interview date: Thursday 12 March 2026.

About the role

Sydenham Garden, based in Lewisham in South-East London, is a unique wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give to our primary beneficiaries). With funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to help us ‘grow our community’ and increase the sustainability of our impact we’re seeking a Community Activities & Volunteering Lead to drive continuous improvement and development of volunteer-led community activities for the benefit of co-workers as well as managing the day to day running of our volunteer programme.

About you

You’ll have experience of recruiting, working with, and managing volunteers, including delivery of skill-building and development activities for volunteers with Lived Experience of mental and/or physical ill health. You’ll have excellent people skills and the ability to demonstrate sensitivity, kindness, and a person-centred understanding of different mental, physical, and neurological needs. You’ll have experience of delivering group activities and working with people with mental/physical-ill health and/or dementia. You’ll have line management experience and be able to provide strategic direction as well as be able to innovate and develop new initiatives and balance competing priorities while being willing to play a team role and get stuck into different activities.

Why you should join us 

We’re a friendly team who are passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive community for people living with mental and physical ill-health. You’ll be part of a supportive team of staff and volunteers, and benefit from spending time in our beautiful gardens and nature reserve.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Sydenham Garden is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve.

Recruitment Timeline

Deadline for applications: Thursday 5th March 2026, 9am.

Interviews: Thursday 12th March 2026.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION AND FOR FULL DETAILS OF HOW TO APPLY INCLUDING OUR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORM.

Purpose

Horatio’s Garden is a nationwide charity creating and nurturing beautifully designed gardens in NHS’s spinal injury centres.

The Patient Experience Manager will be instrumental in supporting patients and families use of the garden. 

Along with the Head Gardener, you will be responsible for the smooth running of a thriving, vibrant garden ensuring the patient and their family are appropriately supported throughout their time in the spinal unit. 

This role requires you to manage a team of volunteers and work closely with the Head Gardener who maintains the horticultural standard of the garden and delivers therapeutic horticulture sessions.  You will be managed by the National Patient Experience Lead.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with clinical and non-clinical NHS staff, corporate sponsors, funders, the Fundraising team, the Communications team and the National Patient Experience Manager. 

The gardens have been beautifully designed and maintained, and the role of the garden needs to reflect an appropriate environment for patients and their families at all stages of their stay.  From the initial welcome, to ensuring the contact and relationship is consistent with activities to suit their needs.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering social activities, supported by the charity’s National Patient Experience Manager and in collaboration with the wider Spinal Injuries team in Cardiff. These activities will mainly need to be held at the weekend or in the afternoons which are critical times in the garden when most patients are available and often have friends and family to visit. Currently the Events programme includes seasonal celebrations and social and craft activities. External facilitators also deliver workshops and live music performances.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident, proactive individual who is efficient, well organised and has outstanding communication and relationship building skills. You will need to be adaptable and friendly and confident working with a wide range of people including people with spinal injuries and their families, NHS staff, volunteers and many different teams within the charity.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

People with spinal injuries

· Develop relationships with patients and families to ensure the best experience for them in the garden at every stage of their stay

· Maintain a consistent social and arts activity programme appropriate for the current patient group, liaising with the National Patient Experience Manager and managing the volunteers accordingly

· Organise a programme of seasonal events, reflecting the needs of patients

· Work with the Impact Manager to monitor patient experience and the impact of the garden

·       Ensure the garden is managed to allow the correct balance to be in place to benefit both patients and external parties (major donors, trusts, corporate groups and other visitors)

NHS staff

· Develop and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with NHS clinical teams and voluntary services

Volunteers

· Recruitment and training of new volunteers

· Manage the team of volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the garden with patient experience at its core

Fundraising and Communications

· Work with fundraising managers, Head Gardener and volunteers to develop opportunities to generate income in the garden through friends, corporate friends and third-party fundraising

· Support corporate sponsor events and fundraising opportunities

· Represent the garden and charity at key events

· Promote the local social media accounts and provide regular updates for content

· Interviews with press/media as required

Administrative

· Ensure all administrative tasks associated with the role are monitored, completed and maintained

· Manage the garden budget along with the Head Gardener

· Collate and bank donations and manage petty cash

· Assist with ensuring the garden room is kept clean and tidy at all times

· Collate data showing usage in the garden and volunteer hours

Safeguarding

· Comply with all safeguarding policies and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead immediately

· This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check

Assist the Patient Experience Lead with any other tasks as required.
It should be noted that the list above is intended to give an overall view of the position and should be taken as guidance only.
 

Please see the full Person Specification in the Job Description attached.
Essential

• Flexible and able to work to suit patient requirements

Closing date: 5th February 23.30 
The first round of interviews will take place on the 18th February

Lindengate is a mental health charity that supports children and adults of all ages with their mental, physical, and social wellbeing through nature-based activities

This new role will involve planning and delivering seasonal work programmes, develop habitat and garden management plans, and lead a mixed team of staff and volunteers to maintain and enhance the site and gardens as a welcoming, biodiverse place to support people’s mental, physical and social wellbeing and nature. 

Lindengate is a mental health charity that supports children and adults of all ages with their mental, physical, and social wellbeing through nature-based activities.

Working under the Horticulture, Conservation & Site Lead, you will apply your horticultural and conservation expertise daily to run volunteer sessions, facilitate group activities, support training delivery, coordinate garden and conservation projects, and contribute to plant and produce sales — all while supporting wellbeing through nature. 

Horatio’s Garden charity is looking for an experienced fundraising leader to develop this newly created role within the fundraising and events directorate. We are a growing, award winning, national charity delivering garden-based support to improve the mental health of people with spinal injuries across the UK. 

You will be joining the charity in an incredibly exciting year, as we launch our new 5 year strategy and head into a Capital Appeal for our tenth garden in Wakefield.

Our newly created role of Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships will play a critical part in this next chapter, leading the development of our existing high value fundraising portfolio to support our growth ambitions. This is both a strategic and hands-on role, operating in a small team environment and requiring the postholder to work with the Director of Income Generation and CEO to shape strategy, build relationships, and deliver income directly. 

The role will work across major donors, trusts & foundations and corporate partnerships, supporting a talented team of four fundraisers: Senior Philanthropy Manager (Trusts & MD), Senior Regional Partnerships Manager, Trust & Foundations Fundraiser and Trusts & Foundations Assistant.

The charity has a history of building successful high value relationships, and we are looking for someone with the experience and ambition to help us build on this solid foundation to deliver our 5-year strategy and complete our core capital appeal programme. 

You will need to have significant fundraising experience gained in a charitable environment across major donors, trusts and foundations and corporate partnerships. You will work with the team to develop compelling case for supports, identify and cultivate prospects and build partnerships to secure high value gifts.

Job Title: School Gardener for Young Marketeers Leeds

Position Type: Freelance

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Based at: Home-working and at schools in Leeds

Working Hours: February – July 2026:  

16 x school gardening sessions at £110 per session plus 2 days planning @ £220 = £2200

3.5 days @ £165 for delivering 8 x school assemblies and attending Market Day  = £577.50

Total:  £2777.50

Contract: Temporary

Job Purpose

· To deliver Young Marketeers gardening sessions and assemblies in eight Leeds primary schools

Background to School Food Matters

At School Food Matters we believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food. To achieve this, we campaign for a better school food system, bringing the voices of children, parents, and teachers to government policy, and deliver fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country.

Young Marketeers

This much-loved programme was started in London in 2012. It is now running in about 125 primary and special schools across England.  This is the fourth year it has run in Leeds. The programme provides hands-on opportunities for children from primary schools to grow fruit and veg from seed to sell at their local market. Young Marketeers is also a platform for School Food Matters to promote food education to schools and communities as a way to support children to live happy and healthy lives. Children learn the art of growing veg from seed, and market traders will share their secrets on how to create a winning market stall. Primary schools will be visited by our gardener in March/April and then again in May/June and receive further tips on how to ensure a bumper crop. Then in July, they head to the market to sell their produce, and to meet the Mayor!

Key Tasks include:

· Build and maintain relationships with teachers, teaching assistants and senior leaders to ensure the smooth running of the project

· Plan and deliver

o One assembly in each school

o Two food growing sessions in each school with a class of 30 children (divided into 2 groups of 15)

· Attend Market Day in the city centre in July with all schools

• Complete monitoring and evaluation forms in accordance with instructions from our Evaluation team
• Take photos of workshops and events where possible
• Keep Project Coordinator and Leeds Project Officer fully updated on progress

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

• Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

Person specification

Essential

· Experience of delivering food growing sessions to children

· Knowledge of fruit and vegetable growing

· Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail

· Ability to work in a team, and seek help when needed

· Self-motivated and optimistic with a can-do attitude

Desirable

· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation

· Experience of working in primary schools and engaging children

· Experience of building relationships with partner organisations and individuals

Location: Home-based, delivering sessions in schools and farms across Essex and surrounding areas
Contract: Self-employed, renewable subject to annual review
Start: Delivery from February 2026

This vacancy is recruited on a rolling basis and may close early if a suitable candidate is appointed, so early application is encouraged. Previous applicants need not apply.

We’re looking for a passionate and confident Food and Farm Discovery Coordinator to inspire primary-aged children through hands-on food, farming and countryside learning. You’ll deliver engaging cooking, gardening and farm visit experiences, working closely with schools, farmers and food producers - particularly in areas of disadvantage.

What you’ll do

• Deliver Farm Discovery Days and the Food Discovery programme in schools
• Plan and lead farm visits, cooking and gardening sessions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools and farm hosts
• Manage session planning, equipment, health & safety and safeguarding
• Work independently as part of a supportive national team

Time commitment & pay

• Around 80–90 paid days per year (seasonal variation)
• £171.48/day for Food Discovery delivery
• £163.77/day for Farm Discovery delivery
• Plus expenses and mileage (45p per mile)
• Estimated annual earnings: £14,000–£15,000, with potential to grow

You’ll need

• Experience working with primary-age children and schools
• Confidence delivering hands-on cooking, gardening and outdoor learning
• Enthusiasm for food, farming and the countryside
• Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills
• Full UK driving licence, access to a car, and suitable IT setup

Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the wellbeing of the city through creative practice. We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic individual to build up Shieldfield Art Work’s fundraising programme and contribute to our strategy. This is a vital part of our work as we seek to become more sustainable and resilient in an ever challenging climate. 

Our ideal candidate will have good experience in developing and implementing a robust fundraising strategy in order to take the strategic fundraising work of our community arts hub into a new chapter. You will also be able to articulate your active Christian faith, be able to explain SAW's Christian ministry and show ability to be able to write for both Christian and secular funders with different priorties.

You will need to be self-motivated and confident in your expertise. The role is suitable for candidates who are experienced in larger and multi-year applications to trusts and foundations (ideally in the cultural sector), developing individual giving campaigns and CSR channels, cultivating donor relationships and a good storyteller, to tell the story of and champion SAW. You must be motivated particularly by the social impact and outreach work that we deliver.

Closing Date: Tuesday 10th February, 10am

Location: At SAW/remote working

Contract Type: 12-month fixed-term

Period of work: March 2026 - February 2027

Rate of pay: £41,600 - £52,000 pro rata at 40 hours per week (£20-£25 per hour) based on experience

Number of days: 52 days, 8 hours per day

For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

About SAW

Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the good of the city through creative practice. We are a team of artists who support others to be creative, and use our creativity to support others. We believe that the arts help us to articulate what it is to be human and that arts participation enables joy and flourishing in unique and unexpected ways. We are blessed with a gallery, workshop room and garden on our site in Shieldfield and so try to organise ways for these assets to be a blessing to our local community.

As a Christian organisation we believe each and every person has inherent worth, bearing the image of our creator. This motivates us to listen to and seek out those whose stories may not be being heard, so that we may better understand and love those around us.

We are particularly committed to our area of Newcastle, Shieldfield, just east of the city centre. We devise and commission art projects that tell Shieldfield’s story, and consider how stories from our local area relate to life outside of Shieldfield. In attempting to reflect a God who is interested in all areas of life, we are interested in the micro to the macro – art that speaks truths about the human condition, to art which speaks to the condition of our planet, and everything in between.

Our site in Shieldfield comprises a gallery, workshop room and community garden, from which we run:

• Four sessions of Painting for Fun each week

• Twice monthly Craft Action Collective sessions

• Gardening sessions (Shieldfield Grows) every week, with a pause in winter

• SAW Reflects events which provide time and space for deep thinking and conversation

• A programme of exhibitions in our gallery that changes throughout the year

• Our community garden is open to visitors all year round. 

Role Overview: We are looking for a motivated individual to work with the church leadership and volunteers to deliver outreach projects including a community café and garden project. Support missional activities and help secure grant funding.

Requirements

• Strong English, computer skills, and Christian commitment (Essential under Equality Act 2010)
• Enhanced DBS clearance
• CV and references

Details

• Location: St John’s United Reformed Church, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington WA4 6QE (with some travel/remote work)
• Hours: 18 flexible hours/week
• Salary: £14,938/year
• The closing date for applications is 26/02/2026; however, we reserve the right to close the application process earlier should a substantial number of applications be received.

Chief Executive - Help & Care
Location: Home-based within easy reach of Dorset (regular travel across the region)
Salary: circa £85,000 per annum
Contract: permanent, either full-time basis (37 hours per week) or part-time (30 hours per week). We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements for part-time hours, including how these are worked across the working week.

Are you an innovative leader who will put communities and social justice at the heart of transforming how health and social care is delivered in Dorset and the south of England?

Help & Care has been supporting communities across Dorset and the south coast since 1985. We deliver person-centred services that promote dignity, independence and connection - from dementia coordination and health coaching to our award-winning Roots gardening programme and social prescribing partnerships. Working with over 25 partners across health, housing and the voluntary sector, we co-produce services that make a real difference to older people, those with long-term conditions, carers and people at risk of isolation.

As our new Chief Executive, you will collaborate with a dedicated Board and a strong, highly motivated team focusing on the following key areas of responsibility:

• Strategic leadership: Define an ambitious, values-led strategy and deliver it, securing long-term impact alongside sustainable financial growth.
• Values leadership: Place Help & Care’s values - social justice, innovation, personal and collaborative - at the heart of decision-making and model them through visible leadership.
• Growth & income diversification: Lead business development to diversify income streams, winning commissioned contracts and developing social-enterprise opportunities to reduce reliance on public commissioning.
• Partnerships & advocacy: Strengthen and sustain senior-level relationships across the NHS, local authorities, commissioners and the voluntary sector; represent Help & Care across systems, media and stakeholder networks.
• Service quality & impact: Embed rigorous monitoring and evaluation so outcome evidence drives commissioning decisions, improves financial performance and enhances the organisation’s reputation.

• People leadership: Inspire, retain and develop a high-performing, compassionate leadership team and workforce, focused on talent development, wellbeing and accountability.
• Governance & financial stewardship: Provide the Board with timely, high-quality reporting, oversee financial recovery or sustainability plans as required, and ensure robust risk, compliance and governance arrangements.

Who you are:

• An experienced CEO or senior director from complex, multi-service health, social care or community organisations, with experience of developing and delivering multi-agency contracts.
• Proven track record of securing commissioned contracts, leading tendering and contract oversight, and developing income diversification, including social-enterprise opportunities.
• Comfortable driving strategic transformation and financial sustainability, with demonstrable expertise in strategic financial management.
• A values-led, collaborative and visible leader with high emotional intelligence and resilience, committed to social justice, person-centred practice and co-production; an effective public representative and mentor.

Why Help & Care?

• Lead a highly respected regional provider with an outstanding track record of co-production and innovation.
• Shape an organisation poised for growth and greater regional influence.
• Hybrid, home-based working, regular travel across Dorset, and the chance to safeguard vital services for local communities.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 23rd February 2026. Interviews and assessments on 3rd, 4th and 5th March.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

We are looking to recruit a Development Administrator to work in the busy Development Department, to assist the fundraising team with events, in-bound calls and supporter care.

In this newly created position, you will report into the Head of Individual Giving and work across appeals, events, legacy and in memory giving, philanthropy and our Patrons scheme.

The Development Administrator will support the Events Manager on the planning and delivery of a wide range of events, at our Gardens and Shows around the UK, and other venues.

This role will act as the first point of contact for our supporters and donors, by phone, post or email and in person at our events including RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on collaboration and has excellent organisational and communication skills.

Details of our great benefits can be found here.

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.

This is a senior, trusted role at the heart of the organisation, responsible for the smooth running of the CEO and Executive Office and for providing high quality governance and administrative support to our Boards and committees. Working closely with the Co Chief Executives, the role supports strategic delivery, organisational planning and cross organisational projects, while also playing an important part in shaping how we work together as a values led organisation.

Based in Covent Garden, the role would suit someone with experience of working within a senior executive or private office environment who brings sound judgement, discretion and a collaborative approach. A background in theatre is not essential, but an appreciation of the social and cultural value of the arts and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion are important.

For full details of the role, please see the job pack. 

Bekonscot Model Village & Railway is a registered charity and the world’s oldest, original model village, welcoming visitors since 1929. We are now seeking a Chief Executive to lead the organisation with vision, integrity and strong charitable purpose.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive will be responsible for delivering Bekonscot’s charitable objectives, ensuring financial sustainability and safeguarding its heritage for future generations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a strategic plan which achieves Bekonscot’s charitable objectives
• Oversee and participate in day-to-day operations, and ensure an excellent visitor experience
• Develop and implement a marketing plan which increases visitor numbers and income
• Work in partnership with the Board of Trustees and promote effective governance
• Ensure robust financial management and long-term sustainability.

Person Specification

• Significant managerial and operational experience, ideally within the tourism, heritage or leisure attraction sectors
• Financial management, marketing and income-generation experience
• Ability to inspire teams, excite visitors and encourage supporters
• Commitment to heritage, education and public benefit.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a well-known and much-loved charity.

To apply: Please contact us for an information pack with details on how to apply.  The closing date for applications is Sunday 1 March 2026.