July 2018 Dear Applicant Re: Community Horticulture Worker Thank you for your interest in this post. Please find enclosed some background information and other details to help you decide whether to apply for the position, along with a job application form on which to apply. In the interests of equality CVs will not be accepted. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to meet the criteria listed in the person specification. Enclosures: Background information Job description Person specification Application form Equal opportunities monitoring form Should you wish to apply, applications can be submitted either by post to the Bristol address below or by email to recruitment@farmgarden.org.uk. Please note that the closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm Friday 10 th August. Interviews will be held on Monday 20 th August in Belfast. If you wish to have an informal discussion about the post, please contact patricia@farmgarden.org.uk or call 07950642182. Yours faithfully, Chris Blythe Director Head Office: The GreenHouse, Hereford Street, Bristol BS3 4NA Tel: 0117 923 1800 Fax: 0117 923 1900 e-mail: admin@farmgarden.org.uk Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales www.farmgarden.org.uk Charity Number 294494 Company Number 2011023
About Us Social Farms & Gardens is the result of a merger between two existing charities: The Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens a UK-wide charity, established in 1980, with a strong track record in partnership and project working. It provided support services and advocacy for community managed farms and gardens which have become increasingly popular in the last few decades - today there are more than 2,500 of these local groups and an extensive community growing sector. Care Farming UK: was set up to promote and support Care Farming the use of farming activities for therapeutic purposes. Care farms provide health, social or educational care services for individuals from one or a range of vulnerable groups. It provided a central voice and supportive services for care farmers, to inspire decision makers. Social Farms & Gardens provides support and a national voice for a broad spectrum of initiatives, which are united by one thing they use land-based activities to benefit individuals and communities. Our advice and guidance will help them tackle problems associated with today s increasingly fractured and disconnected society, where many people feel left behind or ignored, marginalised and lonely. This often has a huge impact on their health and well-being, which in turn puts pressures on social services, the health and education sector, and even the police and probation services. Care farms, city farms, community gardens and other outdoor spaces can offer individuals with a defined need and their communities the opportunity to connect with the land, leading to enormous social, therapeutic and educational benefits. We will also be concentrating on advocacy at policy-maker level, providing a voice for the thousands of gardeners, growers and farmers whose passion, vision and innovation improves the lives of millions of people. Our membership currently stands at more than 700 local groups and we employ more than 30 staff across the UK. The majority are part-time. In addition to our HQ in Bristol, we have offices in, Cardiff, Newtown and Bangor (covering Wales), Edinburgh (Scotland), London (London & South East England), Belfast (Northern Ireland) and other staff in Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and Peterborough. Our development team is supported by a pool of 50 volunteers and freelance fieldworkers, who provide local support to members as required, normally for a few days each per year.
About the role The Community Horticulture Worker will join an expert staff team at Social Farms & Gardens. Community Orchard Programme Social Farms & Gardens has secured a contract from Mid & East Antrim Borough Council to establish at least 3 Community Orchards using co-design and co-delivery, promoting the shared use of public spaces through community development and promotion of good community relations in the council area. The council through its Parks and Open Spaces Team have been granted Peace IV funding under the theme of Shared Spaces and Services to deliver the Community Orchard Programme. The Community Horticulture worker will work alongside communities to agree on suitable sites, encourage community involvement, recruit volunteers, co-design sites, select suitable varieties of apple trees, organise apple events, encourage community ownership and ultimately community management. It is envisaged that the Community Orchards will become community assets and places for community activities to take place. Specific skills required include establishing an orchard, community development, good community relations experience, a solid understanding of the community growing sector and experience of working with communities.
Job Description: Community Horticulture Worker Reporting to: Responsible for: Hours: Location: Duration: Job purpose: NI Development Coordinator Community horticulture support 15 hours (equivalent of 2 days) per week, to include delivery after school hours and weekends This post has an office base in Belfast. Community delivery is mostly in the Mid & East Antrim Council area with some other delivery throughout Northern Ireland Fixed term contract to 31 st March 2019 with possible extension based on funding Establishment of 3 Community Orchards in the Mid & East Antrim Council area. Community horticulture support to SF&G community horticulture projects throughout Northern Ireland. Responsibilities and key tasks: Establish 3 Community Orchards in the Mid & East Antrim Council area Engage with local communities to co-design and co-deliver at least 3 Community Orchards promoting the shared use of public spaces through community development and promotion of good community relations in the council area. Support orchard communities with the practical horticultural tasks of establishment of the fruit trees and the maintenance programme. Support orchard communities with orchard workshops and events to increase local interest, increase numbers of volunteers, build skills and capacity and understanding of the value of orchards as special shared spaces for communities. Promote and facilitate good community relations through the establishment of the orchards. Record and report on work progress
Delivery of community horticulture support to Social Farms & Gardens projects throughout Northern Ireland Support SF&G to deliver its core work of land-based community development work throughout urban and rural Northern Ireland Support SF&G to promote ideas and examples of good practice in community growing General duties: Take responsibility for your own safety and ensure that colleagues and participants are safe. Work effectively and considerately with other Social Farms & Gardens employees, volunteers and participants to promote the aims and objectives of Social Farms & Gardens and present a positive image of the organisation to members and the public. Abide by Social Farms & Gardens policies and endeavour to follow good working practice at all times. Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably requested by your line manager, including completing appropriate training. Further Information: Salary: Pension: Hours: Leave: Location: SF&G Grade E, 26,470 (pro rata) at 0.4 FTE per annum 5% of above salary for standard contracted hours, following a 3 month probationary period 15 hours per week (equivalent of 2 days), to include delivery after school hours and weekends 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays pro rata, by arrangement with your line manager The office base is in Belfast, with most of the practical delivery in the Mid & East Antrim Council area. There will be occasional travel throughout Northern Ireland and to other parts of Ireland and the UK.
Person specification: Community Horticulture Worker Essential Desirable Qualifications Horticulture qualifications Practical experience Establishing an orchard Horticulture Working on a community development project Working on a community good relations project Knowledge Broad knowledge of horticulture Understanding and knowledge of orchards Community development qualifications Experience of establishing a community orchard Community horticulture Working on a community development horticulture project Working on a community good relations shared space project Knowledge of the community and voluntary sector n the mid and East Antrim area Skills Excellent community engagement skills Sound horticulture skills Good verbal and written communication skills Competent PC skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Ability to encourage and enthuse others Ability to work in a group Personal attributes (ALL ESSENTIAL) Passion for community orchards Passion for horticulture