Allotment Volunteer

Reach Drug and Alcohol Service is the commissioned community drug and alcohol provision for Dorset. It provides a range of support interventions and treatments for adults and young people wanting to make positive changes to their drug and/or alcohol use as well as supporting family members and running campaigns and events that raise awareness of addiction and celebrate recovery in the community.

Reach is delivered in partnership between Waythrough Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership and Essential Drug and Alcohol Services. This role is based with the adults service.

The allotment is part of the holistic recovery offer at Reach offering the people we support time to connect with each other with nature to be more active and to grow and eat the produce grown on site.

Details of the role & tasks

The role:

Allotment Volunteers will support with the running of a weekly allotment group. This is an active volunteer role that will include a range of gardening related tasks as well as being a friendly welcoming face to people who join the group.

Tasks may include:

• Help with setting up and packing away before and after each session
• Providing support and guidance on all things allotment and gardening related; including what to plant when and how to look after the growing plants
• Suggesting how to cook the produce and sharing potential recipes
• Producing charts or information leaflets as required to educate and guide people we support about organic growing from soil to plate.
• (co)Facilitate the sessions ensuring activities are safe and risk assessed as appropriate
• Report any concerns including safeguarding related that may arise in the group
• Support people attending the group to develop their own skills and interests
• Promote the activities on offer with the people we support through posters presentations and conversations

Personal qualities

Skills and qualities we would love for you to bring to this role:

• An interest in gardening and the outdoors
• Knowledge of how to plant grow and cook seasonal produce
• Professional Honest and Committed
• Basic IT skills some eLearning based training will need to be completed
• Good time keeping
• Able to work as part of a team on own initiative and to instruction
• Non-judgmental towards people who experience substance misuse dependency or mental health conditions
• Clear understanding of importance of confidentiality
• Some experience of working with adults experiencing complex or multiple support needs
• A genuine interest in being part of the mission and vision of Waythrough information is available on our website
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries adhere to Waythrough policies engage in supervision and complete relevant training

Waythrough

We value our volunteers and seek to ensure their diverse roles are rewarding and beneficial to all. Waythrough holds the Investors in Volunteers accreditation.

What Volunteers can expect from us:

Volunteering with Waythrough offers people a unique chance to have a significant positive impact on peoples lives. We work both with and within diverse communities across the UK and every day we see people making positive changes to turn their lives around. We offer volunteers:

• Regular supervision and support
• Induction and access to online and face to face training
• To learn and practice new skills within a teamwork setting
• To feel part of a team and the wider Waythrough organisation
• Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey

• Opportunities to progress and experience other areas of Waythroughs work

Our values:

Our values underpin everything we do from how we work together through to how we design and deliver services. All our work to fulfil this vision is strengthened by our values.

• Kindness - be generous caring and understanding.
• Courage - be bold trust commit.
• Respect - everyone deserves dignity.

Location: Gillingham Allotment

Timing: 3 hours per week every Tuesday

Training: Volunteers have access to Waythroughs training platform Workday and will be asked to complete a number of training modules within their first 3 months.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together weve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year we support around 125000 people through nearly 200 services and its all made possible by our 3500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer healthier more independent lives Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health substance use housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job its a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work youll enjoy:

• Discounts from various schemes

• Training and personal development

• A chance to make a real difference in peoples lives

• Free induction and role-specific training

• Support from experienced staff and regular supervision

• Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence

• Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses

• Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply please email our recruitment team:

How to apply

If youre viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed please click Apply via company website to view the full job description and submit your application.

Please note that while this role has a stated closing date we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a high number of applications.

Closing date: