Main Duties
To be part of a team that strives to maintain Hospice gardens to an excellent standard. The garden is enjoyed and used by our patients and their families for recreation and contemplation purposes, to help spiritual well-being, and a place to sit and reflect whatever the season.
Key Responsibilities:
Gardening Maintenance Tasks may vary on a weekly or seasonal basis and could include:
- Soil cultivation, digging, forking and mulching.
- Watering, raking, weeding, de-heading, edging and pruning.
- Bed preparation, planting and pots maintenance.
- To keep the tool shed clean and tidy and to ensure all gardening equipment is kept secure
- To keep the gardens and footpaths clear and free from litter at all times
- To leave the garden tidy after working in it by gathering up any cuttings or pruning material and taking to the designated area.
Hours of Work
Flexible between the hours of 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
Whether you can offer 2 or 3 hours preferably weekly or fortnightly, liaising with the Head of Maintenance about the tasks required.
Volunteers will also be expected to attend any meetings or training where appropriate.
Person Specification
Desirable skills and qualities
- Enthusiastic and enjoy gardening
- Knowledgeable about basic gardening skills e.g. pruning, weeding, planting etc.
- Knowledgeable about the use of gardening tools and techniques
- Sensitive to the needs of those affected by life-limiting illnesses.
- Courteous, friendly and approachable.
- Be able to work effectively in a team or alone.
- Have a good understanding of confidentiality.
- Sense of humour
- Commitment to the ethos of Cornwall Hospice Care
Induction and Training
All new volunteers are expected to attend an induction session which includes the code of conduct, health and safety processes, confidentiality policies, fire evacuation procedures, infection prevention and control measures as well as other important and relevant Hospice information and core training.
Volunteers will also be expected to complete mandatory training sessions and relevant courses in order to keep up to date with organisational and legal regulation changes.
There is a requirement that the volunteer maintains regular contact with the Volunteer Services team, and takes responsibility for communication regarding their role and links into all relevant volunteer programs (induction, meetings, training sessions etc.)
What you can expect from Cornwall Hospice Care
- To be valued and respected
- To receive appropriate induction and training
- To have adequate support and supervision
- To have a safe working environment
- To be reimbursed for reasonable out of pocket expenses
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references:
This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at Standard Level.
Volunteers will also be required to provide 2 references and attend an interview.
