Key Volunteers

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Supporting Food Growing - Volunteer Officer

Place: TCV Hollybush, Kirkstall, Leeds

Why we need you:
We are looking for people keen to support in the delivery of our work leading food growing activities with volunteer groups, supporting health and wellbeing through nature connection, activities preparing and using food grown in our sessions, and providing food through our lunch clubs. This role would help in the planning and delivery of our veg patch, orchards, and food growing areas. We are looking for people keen to learn, develop and share skills in organic food growing, and keen to support making healthy eating accessible to everyone. Volunteer Officers are a key part of our team. This role is vital for Hollybush to be able to support the diverse range of people in our community. The role focuses on delivering group activity sessions, but also includes time to develop skills in planning sessions, training and some time outside sessions to prepare for activities. This is vital for our delivery of accessible nature based interventions connecting people and nature.

Benefits to you:
This role is a training role, designed to support people wanting to develop the skills needed for a career in nature based activities. This role includes a comprehensive training package to support you in delivering these activities., while providing extensive hands on experience developing skills in leading activities. At Hollybush, we support a diverse community of people, including people from different cultures, diverse access and support needs, and people with a huge range of life experiences. This Volunteer Officer placement offers the opportunity to develop the skills required for a career in areas such as green social prescribing, nature based intervention, as well as developing the skills required for a broad range of careers supporting people. Previous Volunteer Officers have gone on to careers for environmental organisations, as well Occupational Therapy, Social Work, in SEN schools, research, teaching and many other related fields. By the end of the placement, the formal training package will include Leadership on day Projects, First Aid, Practical Tools Use, Health & Safety, Risk Assessment, Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity, Data Protection Awareness and more.

What you need:
The Volunteer Officer placement is for people aged 18 and above who are keen to learn the skills involved in supporting people to connect with green spaces. For this role, we are looking for people with an interest learning and developing skills in food growing. We re also looking for people keen to support a diverse audience in sharing this knowledge, and in promoting accessibility in the activities that we deliver. We are keen to make this role as accessible as possible. If you would to discuss with us if this role would be suitable to you, please get in contact and we would be happy to discuss what it would involve and what support and accommodations we can provide.

How much time:
This role would require someone available on Wednesdays and at least one additional day Monday - Thursday. The role requires a minimum of 2 days per week, and can be up to 5 days per week. Our core activity delivery takes place on weekdays, Monday - Friday, with occasional weekend event. If you are not able to commit to the minimum 2 days per week for this role, please get in touch and we can share the information about our Key Volunteer opportunities. Travel expenses, PPE, outdoor clothing and food will be provided in the food growing sessions.

For further details please contact Alex Mason on 01132742335.

Email: hollybush@tcv.org.uk

You will be supported in your role by experienced staff through regular meetings where issues can be resolved and guidance provided. You will have all reasonable expenses covered (foreign travel excepted) so will not be out of pocket through your volunteering. You will be insured and expected to comply with the policies and procedures of The Conservation Volunteers.

Where roles will be responsible for others, we need to check your references. When the role involves young people and vulnerable adults, we will need to ask for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau, Central Registered Body in Scotland or appropriate body in Northern Ireland.

Many people who work in the Environmental Sector have used a Volunteer Officer role as a stepping stone in their career.