Garden and Volunteer Wellbeing Coordinator

We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Garden and Volunteer Wellbeing Coordinator with an interest in garden and wellbeing activities to come and be part of an exciting community garden project. You will have experience of supporting staff and volunteers and be able to assist with the project management of the ongoing development of the gardens.

Location: Frimley and Woking
Salary: £24,980 pro rata (£14,988 actual)
Hours: 21 hours per week (ideally Tuesday to Thursday)
Contract type: Permanent

About the organisation:

Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

Key responsibilities:

• Project manage the enclosed garden space at Frimley Lodge Park and The Arch in Woking.
• Develop and facilitate a programme of activities within the Catalyst Community Wellbeing Garden that will help improve wellbeing for people in the community, including:
  • Seasonal workshops
  • Gardening with the CEO
  • Staff and partner wellbeing touchpoints
  • Groups for clients struggling with their mental wellbeing
• Recruit, develop and manage garden volunteers
• Work with other partners to promote volunteering and creating a space for wellbeing activities
• Use excellent interpersonal skills to motivate and inspire participants to get the most out of the opportunities that the garden presents
• Develop and implement growing plans and vision for the garden with input from colleagues and volunteers
• Ensure operations are well-organised, safely managed and delivered
• Implement and manage a booking system for volunteer and staff rotas
• Be prepared for physically demanding aspects i.e. digging, lifting and bending
• Ensure the garden is adequately planted during all seasons, and that a programme of activity is in place
• Lead the development of the land and facilities with input from colleagues and volunteers
• Prioritise and time-manage short and long-term growing projects and developments
• Maintain a productive year-round vegetable and herb garden
• Work with colleagues and staff to organise and facilitate seasonal events in the garden
• Develop opportunities for food sharing
• Facilitate the smooth running of activities in the gardens ensuring they are productive, attractive, and pleasant spaces for people to socialise and gather
• Be available to support other Community Connections groups and activities

About you

Essential:

• Experience of working / learning in a horticulture environment
• Experience of working in mental health
• Proven horticulture and gardening knowledge
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent planning and development skills
• Ability to organise and manage your own workload
• Good financial awareness when budgeting and planning
• Great communications and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work through busy and challenging priorities
• Ability to work under pressure, with full workloads and to tight deadlines
• Ability to think and work strategically
• Ability use initiative, confidence in making decisions and ability to work collaboratively
• Have authentic attributes of Kindness, Commitment and Integrity
• Ability to work as a team and support other team members
• Ability to maintain Equal Opportunity standards at all times
• Flexible and can-do attitude
• Ability to travel to and from both gardens

Desirable:

• Educated to A level or equivalent in relevant disciplines e.g. English, Media
• Experience of supporting volunteers
• Experience of developing creative wellbeing activities

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources

Safeguarding & Checks

• This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
• A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate.
• All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK.

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.