Role Description: Garden Programme Volunteer.
Providence Row tackles the root causes of homelessness to help people get off, and stay off,
the streets. We work with some of the most vulnerable adults in society including people
experiencing severe mental health problems and those dependent on alcohol or drugs. We
provide a safe, warm place for rough sleepers to get a meal, stabilise their situation and get
ready for mainstream services.
Working with people to build skills and confidence is the key to success and our Garden
Programme enables us to do this through engaging clients in a range of activities. The
support we provide for mental health and addiction issues is also crucial in helping people to
rejoin the community. Last year we helped over 1,000 people, 45% of whom slept rough on
the capital’s streets.
The role description outlines the tasks and responsibilities applicable to this position. It also
protects the volunteer from being asked to do tasks they may consider unreasonable.
We recognise that volunteers have different strengths and want to gain different skills so to
keep the role description relevant to volunteers it is reviewed in regular meetings with your
line manage
As a Garden Programme volunteer you will have the opportunity to develop skills in practical
gardening skills, client facing work, and gain new skills and experience in a homelessness
charity.
Purpose of the role: To support the delivery of the Garden Trainee Scheme and Garden
Learning Session.
Responsible to: Sue Amos, Garden Co-ordinator. Regular supervision, training and
support is provided to volunteers.
The role would suit someone with some prior experience of gardening and running activities,
who is seeking to develop client facing skills within the homelessness sector.
Our main focus is growing food produce in our rooftop garden for our kitchen. Seed to plate,
our produce is transformed by our catering trainees into a healthy lunch.
We also have a courtyard garden that we maintain on a regular basis that provides a
welcoming green space for clients to relax in.
Volunteer Specification
Essential
 Some prior experience of horticulture and running activities in a community based
setting.
 Some prior experience of planning and running gardening /food growing activities to
engage people with different levels of knowledge and experience
 Good use and knowledge of English
 Good verbal and written communication skills
 An interest in working with marginalised or disadvantaged learners
 An interest in working for a charity working within the homelessness sector
 Ability to follow instruction and to use own initiative, following training and guidance
 Committed to equal opportunities and respectful of other cultures

Reliable and trustworthy
Duties
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Supporting the planning and delivery of a range of gardening activities within the Garden
Programme.
Assisting in the maintenance of records relating to client attendance and engagement
within the Garden Trainee Scheme.
Working with the Garden Coordinator to develop the role of peer mentors within the
Garden Learning Session.
Assisting in the marketing and promotion of the Garden Programme activities
Assisting with the monitoring and evaluation of the Garden Programme, including the
collection of feedback from clients attending the Garden Programme activities.
Deadline for applications: ongoing
Interview date: To be confirmed
Place of work: Providence Row, 82 Wentworth Street, E1 7SA
Volunteers would be asked to commit for a minimum of one day a week and would be
subject to a DBS check.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community.