Gardener

Our friendly Saturday Gardening Group meets one morning a month and carries out a variety of tasks which our client gardeners are unable to complete during the week. Tasks may include hedge trimming, burning, clearing pathways and strimming. This does not involve working with our client gardeners.

General Purpose of the Role

• To work in the garden doing tasks given by the Senior Horticultural Practitioner - these are tasks that our clients either could not get to do or were not able to do.
• To work alongside other volunteers 

Outline of tasks you may be involved in

• Working alongside other volunteers doing tasks such as watering, cutting back, weeding, digging, hoeing, mowing, pruning.
• Watching out for the Health and Safety of those you are working with.
• Helping to clear up and put away tools

We are always looking for help with the various fundraising events we put on. We may ask you if you would be willing to join in. These are usually at weekends. 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?

• 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 Saturday a month (the second Saturday) 10 am start for approximately - 4 hours (dependent on tasks and what time volunteer can give)

Where does this role take place?