Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Volunteer Horticulture Support

The closing date is 27 June 2025

Job summary

Days/Times:Ideally Wednesday mornings to support the gardening group, but flexible depending on availability.

Main Purpose:Support the creation and upkeep of a healing garden as part of the NHS Culture of Care Programme and Quality Improvement (QI) initiative. Working with the Occupational Therapy (OT) team, the volunteer will help maintain a therapeutic outdoor space to enhance recovery and wellbeing for service users.

About the Cedars:Coombehaven Ward is a mixed-gender, locked unit offering a secure environment for mental health assessments and tailored treatment. The enclosed garden is a key therapeutic space aiding recovery.

About the Project:The Healing Garden is a new green space developed through the Culture of Care Programme. Led by Rebecca from the OT team, it aims to provide a calming, inclusive environment. The volunteer will support the gardening group, promoting meaningful activity and social inclusion.

About the NHS Culture of Care Programme:A national initiative to transform inpatient services by prioritising safety, dignity, and inclusion. It includes 12 core commitments, such as:

Ensuring patients feel safe, valued, and included
Supporting staff wellbeing
Promoting equity and trauma-informed care
Involving patients in decisions and daily activities
Designing environments that support recovery

Main duties of the job

Key Tasks:

Support practical gardening tasks under supervision in the ward garden
Assist the OT team and service users in planning and delivering gardening activities
Take part in planting, weeding, watering, and general maintenance
Help co-facilitate weekly sessions and encourage engagement
Share ideas to develop the garden space
Promote a safe, inclusive, recovery-focused environment

Ideal Candidate:

Interest or basic knowledge in gardening/horticulture
Enjoys working outdoors in all weather
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Team player with sensitivity to mental health needs
Reliable and open to learning

Additional Info:

Must be 18+
Subject to references and DBS check
Completion of Trust induction, mandatory/statutory training, and refreshers required
Log weekly hours via Better Impact system
Maintain regular contact with line manager and report concerns
Follow health and safety procedures
Travel expenses reimbursed (policy applies)
References available after 6 months
Voluntary role with no employment relationship implied

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

06 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Voluntary

Duration

1 days

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0464

Job locations

Wonford House Hospital

Dryden Road

Exeter

EX2 5AF

Job description

Job responsibilities

Contribute to planning of daily activities and creating tasks linked to peoples individual goals

To participate in practical tasks around the nursery, allotment and orchard e.g. filling pots with compost, pricking out, potting on, dead-heading, watering and general plant husbandry

Contribute to development of horticulture at New Leaf

To work alongside colleagues and service users during the day

To be aware of health and safety and contribute to the maintenance of a safe working environment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Contribute to planning of daily activities and creating tasks linked to peoples individual goals

To participate in practical tasks around the nursery, allotment and orchard e.g. filling pots with compost, pricking out, potting on, dead-heading, watering and general plant husbandry

Contribute to development of horticulture at New Leaf

To work alongside colleagues and service users during the day

To be aware of health and safety and contribute to the maintenance of a safe working environment.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

People who are happy volunteering outside in all the different weather conditions.
Basic knowledge /interest in gardening, horticulture
Manual handling experience (not essential)
Commitment to the ethos and values of DPT
Adaptability, flexibility and creativity
Good interpersonal skills and experience of working in a team

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

People who are happy volunteering outside in all the different weather conditions.
Basic knowledge /interest in gardening, horticulture
Manual handling experience (not essential)
Commitment to the ethos and values of DPT
Adaptability, flexibility and creativity
Good interpersonal skills and experience of working in a team

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.