Volunteer Gardener (Windsor Street Care Centre, Cheltenham)

Every home at the Trust has a garden for our residents to enjoy. Many of our residents spent many happy hours tending to the garden, tinkering in the shed or growing veg. As every gardener knows, it’s a hobby that can bring a great sense of satisfaction but also, sometimes, sore muscles. Our volunteer Gardeners are the people who make the residents gardens their own when they can no longer dig and plant themselves.

Our Gardeners have a passion for seeing things grow. Most of our gardeners enjoy involving people, getting them involved in planting seeds and agreeing which plants go where. Some of our gardeners just enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they’ve created a space people can relax in and enjoy.

Our Gardeners are part of the Home Team. As gardening can be an activity and a maintenance role, Gardeners are involved with both the Activity Co-ordinator and the Handy Person. Our Gardeners understand that gardening at home and gardening in a care environment are different and they are extra mindful of the health and safety risks we need to watch out for. They also recognise that the gardens are not their own and check in before they act. Nobody wants to move a plant out of the sight of someone it means the world to.

This role is flexible and will depend on you and the need we have at the time. There are peak seasons so you’ll probably do more in during those busy times but there is something to be done all year round.

You’ll build up relationships with people and the Home Team so ideally, we’d like a regular, longer term commitment of a couple of hours a week. Days and times are flexible; talk to us and we’ll see what suits us both.

Role Boundaries The following boundaries apply to all volunteer roles at the Trust: • All volunteers over 16 years old will require DBS clearance (Criminal Records check) and the Trust will cover the cost. • Volunteers aged between 14 and 16 years old can’t go into residents’ rooms on their own. • There are certain things only carers can do. Volunteers can’t provide personal care for residents. This involves help with dressing, visiting the toilet or eating. • Volunteers can’t support residents in moving, rising or sitting or move residents in wheelchairs until they have completed mandatory moving and handling and wheelchair training. • Volunteers must not hoist a resident • Volunteers should not attempt to give first aid unless qualified to do so. • Volunteers can’t transport residents in their own car. • Volunteers should not give or accept gifts to or from residents, relatives or employees. All gifts offered should be declared to the Home Manager. • Our communications team are responsible for all our media postings. Volunteers should not contact or speak to the media unless asked to by their manager nor should they post anything on social networking sites. • Volunteers should ask their manager before making any decision outside the scope of their role that could affect OSJCT, residents, employees or other volunteers. • Volunteers are not expected to handle complaints or safeguarding issues. They should talk to their manager in the first instance. For this role specifically • Volunteers must not cut down any trees or shrubs or move plants without checking with the Home Manager • Volunteers must follow all COSHH and health and safety guidance relating to gardening products and tools.