Client Gardener Support Volunteer - Social and Therapeutic Horticulture

• To support our horticultural therapists in delivering a high level of service to individuals with a disability or ill health. These individuals (client gardeners) come to our gardening programmes with a range of disabilities and health conditions and the programmes they are following will vary from general gardening to working towards horticultural qualifications.
• To develop social interaction with client gardeners and encourage them to work with and talk with others.
• To work alongside client gardeners encouraging them in their work but not doing the tasks for them.
• Supervising, with others, the client gardener group over lunch breaks and occasionally when the therapists are engaged in assessing and related paperwork.

• Attending a briefing before client gardeners arrive and helping to prepare for the planned sessions.
• Working alongside client gardeners encouraging, talking, demonstrating, or guiding the individuals to a greater or lesser extent depending on their needs - sowing seeds, watering, planting out, weeding, digging, hoeing, mowing, pruning.
• Watching out for the Health and Safety of those you are working with.
• Helping to clear up after gardeners have left, briefing therapists on progress or any issues relating to the clients you have worked with.
• We are always looking for help with the various events we put on. We may ask you if you would be willing to join in. There is no obligation, but this could be an additional activity you could get involved in.

About Thrive

Thrive is the UK's leading charity using social and therapeutic horticulture (STH), which is the process of using plants and the garden to improve physical and mental health, as well as communication and thinking skills. The garden can also be used as a safe and secure space to develop a person's ability to mix socially, make friends, and learn practical skills that will make them more independent.

A key aspect of Thrive's work is the development and delivery of training in social and therapeutic horticulture for professionals and specialists, from entry level to diploma, and the provision of information to enable people living with a disability or ill health to continue to enjoy gardening. We are also at the forefront of research into good practice, quality assurance and impact measurement.

Thrive offers a range of therapeutic gardening-based programmes, suitable for many different disabilities and age groups, from our centres in Beech Hill near Reading, Battersea Park in London and Kings Heath Park in Birmingham. Our Head Office is co-located with our Centre near Reading. And we have a track record of making a real difference to people's lives.

Directions to the Thrive National Office and the Trunkwell Garden Project in Beech Hill, near Reading:

The village of Beech Hill is close to the Berkshire/Hampshire border about 7miles south of Reading.

From the South:
After passing the Wellington monument on your left, at the next roundabout turn left and follow the signs to Beech Hill. At Beech Hill, turn right at the Old Elm Tree pub and you will see the signs to Thrive and Trunkwell Garden after about 100 yards on your left.

From the North:
Turn south onto the A33 at Junction 11 of the M4. At the first set of lights, turn left, taking the road through Three Mile Cross and Spencers Wood. Just after the Murco Garage, turn right into Beech Hill Road. Follow this road until you read the village of Beech Hill. At Beech Hill you will see the signs to Thrive and Trunkwell Garden on your right.

What skills do I need?

• Patience and understanding with a commitment to being supportive and companionable.
• Flexibility - task may need to change, and client gardener's behaviour may be surprising or erratic.
• Reliability - for both the therapists and the client gardeners this is important for continuity and trust.
• Ability to explain tasks clearly and in simple ways.
• Some understanding of basic gardening skills
• Prepared to work outdoors in most weathers.

When is this role available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Time commitment: 1 day a week, 9.45am - 3.15pm

Where does this role take place?