Why do we need Gardening volunteers?
We are looking for volunteers who possess a love for dogs and their welfare as well as a passion and knowledge of gardening to assist in keeping our London site looking both attractive and enjoyable to visiting public, staff, and our dogs.
This role will assist our Head Gardener in maintaining various areas around the Home, including pots, flower beds, window boxes and our canine sensory garden areas. Our gardening ethos is in sustainable nonchemical gardening to provide wherever possible wildlife habitats to support the local ecology as well as providing the dogs access to as many green areas as we can.
What would I be doing?
· You will be designated your own area within the site which will be yours to care for under the guidance of the Head Gardener.
· Caring for various types of plants, to include herbaceous perennials, annuals, shrubs, herbs and grasses.
· Watering, weeding and deadheading all the various planted spaces around the centre including some public facing areas.
· Keeping the flower boxes in the exercise paddocks maintained, watered and weed free.
· Reporting any issues in regard to any gardened areas of the Home to the Head gardener.
· Maintaining the flower boxes along the areas known as the walking routes.
· Maintaining the flower beds in the car park.
· Opportunities to engage in larger projects may also be available throughout the year.
Do I need any specific skills?
· Experience of and a passion for gardening. Specialist knowledge on caring for a variety of plants and some knowledge of pests and diseases is desirable.
· Where possible we aim to use non pesticide/herbicide control measures and knowledge of such would be useful.
· Willingness to follow a scheduled annual plan and direction from Head Gardener.
· A friendly demeanour and attention to detail.
· Comfortable around dogs.
· Good communication skills.
· Due to the nature of the work involved, volunteers are advised that they are immunised against Tetanus.
What training will I get?
· Support from the Head Gardener.
· Training/ instruction on all gardening tasks.
· Volunteering briefing including information about Battersea, volunteering and Health and Safety on site.
· Ongoing support and learning opportunities from the Volunteering Team.
· All gardening tools and equipment will be provided by the Home.
· A volunteer uniform comprising of polo shirt and sweatshirt will also be provided by the Home.
Where will I be volunteering?
This role is based at our London site, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, London, SW8 4AA.
When would I be volunteering?
We are asking for a shift of four hours a week on the same day every week, on either Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (we are not recruiting volunteers for weekends). The four hours spent volunteering will be during working hours 9am-5pm, we can flexible to the specific hours you are available (i.e., 10am-2pm).
This is an all weather, ongoing outdoor role. This role is throughout the entire year including winter.
Who would I report to?
You will be reporting to the Head Gardener.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in this role please complete our online application form and answer the questions in full. Please consider we will hold interviews for this role.
We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments and alleviating any stress during the recruitment process for those with physical and neuro diversities, whether this is adjusting environments, sensory preferences, answering questions or adapting communication styles. If you require adaptive support with your application, please email v.coordinator@battersea.org.uk. Any declaration of any disabilities or differences will be treated confidentially and compassionately.
Key dates:
We are not able to change our key dates, please bear this in mind when applying.
- Interviews will take place at our London site on May 25th.
- The Induction session will take place on June 9th.
