Volunteer Gardener
Location: Pendle, Bowling Green Lane, Buntingford
Timing: Maximum 15 hours per week
About Waythrough
Waythrough provides specialist support across mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. We delivery high-quality, evidence-based services designed around the real needs of the people we serve.
Every year, we support around 125,000 people through over 250 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 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 – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
Pendle is a short-term mental health recovery house for Hertfordshire residents experiencing a crisis. We provide a safe, welcoming environment where people can stabilise, regain confidence, and access tailored support without the need for hospital admission.
As a Gardening Volunteer, you will help develop and run gardening activity sessions at our service. These sessions aim to support residents in their recovery journey by encouraging participation in outdoor, hands-on activities that promote wellbeing, routine, and social interaction. You will work alongside staff and residents to co-create a welcoming and inclusive gardening space.
Tasks may include:
- Teaching basic gardening skills in an inclusive and accessible way
- Supporting residents with hands-on activities such as planting, weeding, composting, and harvesting.
- Helping to plan and deliver seasonal gardening sessions (e.g. spring planting, autumn tidy-up).
- Maintaining the garden space to ensure it remains safe, welcoming, and vibrant — including watering, pruning, and general tidying.
- Assisting with the development of themed areas such as herb gardens, raised beds, and flower or vegetable plots.
- Accompanying residents on visits to garden centres or community green spaces.
- Bringing imagination and enthusiasm to help make the garden a therapeutic and enjoyable space for all.
- Encouraging teamwork, creativity, and shared ownership of the garden
Skills/qualities we would like you to bring to the role:
- Hands-on gardening knowledge with an enthusiasm for helping others grow their skills
- Good communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to keep a track of multiple tasks and report back on progress
- Caring, understanding and non-judgmental approach towards people with lived experience and using mental health services
- Confident to contact people by email / phone
- Reliable, with good time keeping
- Able to work as part of a team, on own initiative and to instruction
- A genuine interest in being part of the mission and vision of Waythrough
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, adhere to Waythrough policies and media guidelines, engage in supervision, and complete relevant training (including on safeguarding, boundaries, cyber security, DEIB and health & safety)
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy:
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Discounts from various schemes
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Training and personal development
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A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives
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Free induction and role-specific training
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Support from experienced staff and regular supervision
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Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence
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Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses
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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.
