A person planting out
Horticultural Therapy Lead
Are you passionate about using the healing power of nature to support mental health and wellbeing? Green Health Thames Valley (GHTV) is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Horticultural Therapy Lead to support the ongoing delivery of our vital services. If you are motivated by making a positive impact on people's lives, we want to hear from you.
Position: Horticultural Therapy Lead
Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays (9 am - 3.30 pm, client facing) + up to one half-day administrative tasks (total of up to 11 days per month)
Location: Whitley, Reading (or hybrid)
Salary: £22.80 per hour / £182.40 per day
Contract: Freelance/self-employed
About Us: Green Health Thames Valley (GHTV) is a Reading-based charity dedicated to providing horticultural therapy to individuals in need of mental health and wellbeing support. We offer a range of services, from short-term interventions to long-term support, all in the tranquil setting of our community garden in Whitley, Reading.
About the Role: As our Horticultural Therapy Lead, you will be responsible for managing our horticultural therapy programme. Your main responsibilities will include:
- Leading the enrolment of beneficiaries and volunteers, including liaising with healthcare professionals and referrers where needed.
- Engaging with clients to provide supervised horticultural therapy and supporting their development.
- Implementing our recovery model to facilitate positive changes in clients' lives and reporting on their progress.
- Line managing our Project Support role and Project Support Officer, providing any necessary training.
- Reporting regularly on project progress to the charity’s trustees.
- Ensuring the implementation of safeguarding, health, and safety guidelines.
About You: We’re looking for a motivated, dynamic and compassionate individual who excels in multitasking and is keen to take responsibility for driving positive outcomes for our clients. You will have a can-do attitude and happy to work in an outside environment all year round.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Minimum of three years’ experience and/or qualifications in mental health or working with vulnerable people.
- Experience of implementing a holistic approach to mental health recovery
- Demonstrable experience and knowledge of plants and propagation.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Experience using horticulture to enhance confidence, independence, and wellbeing.
- Charity sector experience, including managing volunteers.
- A qualification in horticulture or significant professional experience in gardening
Additional Requirements
- A current DBS certificate (assistance available if needed).
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Two references, including one from your most recent employer.
- Ability to work on a freelance/self-employed basis.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a short covering letter (maximum of two pages) setting out your relevant skills or experience, and why you are the right person for the role to: Tricia Odell at patricia@greenhealththamesvalley.org.uk
The closing date for applications is noon on Friday, 1 December 2023 and interviews are planned for the following week in Whitley.
To find out more about our charity, visit https://greenhealththamesvalley.org.uk/what-we-do/
A person gardening
To advertise a job with us costs £35 per week or £90 for 3 weeks or longer. This includes the advert and, if you wish, a photo, a link to your website and job description/specification. We will also promote the post through Twitter. Please provide the exact wording as we do not provide a copywriting service.
For more information or to place an advert contact us on info@thrive.org.uk
For more information on jobs and sector news, sign up to our Training and Education updates
Receive our updates