Gardening Group Support Volunteer (Epsom)

About Mary Frances Trust

Mary Frances Trust is a Surrey-based charity supporting people with mental health and emotional wellbeing. We offer a variety of services to adults (16+) including wellbeing courses and advice, a range of activities and interest groups, peer support, self-help groups, individual support and volunteering opportunities. We engage volunteers from a variety of backgrounds to help us by assisting the staff team to deliver our work to clients that seek our support, across Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Banstead and Elmbridge.

How you can help

Working closely with our member of staff / tutor, this role will complement and support the service delivery of our weekly Gardening Group in Epsom.  Based at our local community facility, this will be a rewarding role for someone seeking a regular opportunity once a week or fortnightly.  We support clients with their emotional and mental wellbeing encouraging greater connection with nature to support better mental health, through creating things like a sensory garden, a wildflower meadow, planting flowers and vegetables and encouraging wildlife by clearing the pond, building a bug house and making bird feeders. This role will suit either someone experienced or simply interested in gardening, with good people skills, common sense and the ability to get alongside others, showing and guiding them where necessary.  We seek someone looking for a more medium to long term involvement.  The volunteer role also includes a small amount of time either side of the gardening session to set up and pack away materials and debrief if necessary. Some clients may have communication and confidence difficulties due to a number of health-related issues.

Key Points

•Weekly or fortnightly involvement

•Tuesdays 13:15 to 3:15pm  (1:30pm to 3pm service)

•Epsom (Brickfield Centre)

•Medium to long term involvement (9-12 months plus)

•Some experience welcome but not essential

What we ask of you

Support the tutor / facilitator to deliver the planned activity each week 

(e.g. seeding, sowing, planting, pruning, clearing etc)

•Help set up, pack away any equipment and refreshments

•Provide individual practical support to attendees

•Support and assist staff / facilitator with any difficulty that may arise

•Respect the need for personal & professional boundaries with clients

•Report any safeguarding concerns to staff in a timely manner to ensure clients are able to access the support they need (safeguarding training will be provided)

Benefits you will receive

•Being part of a friendly, caring and supportive service

•Ability to really help, guide and support others

•Making a difference to the lives of other people

•Gain practical experience of working alongside people with mental health 

•Regular involvement in your community

•Training relevant to the role

•Reimbursement of travel expenses

What skills do I need?

Qualities that make a successful Gardening Support Volunteer

·       Open to working with a mixed group and willing to ‘have a go’

·       Ability to teach / show others

·       Good interpersonal skills, reliable, friendly, flexible

·       Confident, positive, patient, empathetic, compassionate

·       Ability to ask for help (if you don’t understand)

·       Ability to work as part of a small team

·       Passionate about supporting other people

Please note: 

You do not need to have any previous volunteer experience to volunteer for this role although the ability to get on with people and communicate well with others is key.