Development Officer - North of England - 2 roles available

This is your chance to lead Social Farms & Gardens work in the North of England for the next three years. 

Apply by:  10am Monday 23 November 2026 

Interviews: Options of Thursday 10 December morning or Friday 11 December in Sheffield (travel can be claimed)

Start date: January 2027 

Social Farms & Gardens is creating two part-time Development Officer roles as part of the new UK-wide Space to Grow programme. Space to Grow is a partnership between SF&G, the RHS and Hubbub to grow community gardening as a catalyst for climate action. It is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, Climate Action Fund. 

Each Development Officer will develop a community garden network in the North-East, the North-West, or Yorkshire and Humber, each in a hub city, large town, or series of cities and towns that you think would benefit from support for a new or established community garden network.

You will support community garden groups to create training and networking events focussed on organisational development, community engagement, climate action and access to land. You don't have to be an expert on any of these topics yourself, the role is to support community garden groups to share their knowledge and insights. You will have support from the wider SF&G team, especially the programme manager. 

The core work will see you work closely with community gardens in the north of England to:

• Design and deliver in-person training events for community gardens . 
• Hold small sociable networking events 
• Plan larger events to showcase the value of community gardening
• Build up an understanding of the local policy environment and opportunities for community gardens, and you will be part of developing SF&Gs ‘Community Land Advisory Service’ in England
• Tell the story of the impact of community gardening and community gardening networks

The role includes lots of time at a desk. The role does not include sharing practical gardening  skills. You do not need any gardening skills to be considered for the role. 

We look forward to reading your application.