We’re looking for someone knowledgeable, passionate and kind to join our team as Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden South West, Salisbury.

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Job Description

Horatio’s Garden, a national charity, creating and nurturing beautifully designed gardens in NHS’s spinal injury centres are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced head gardener for a high-profile role at Horatio’s Garden South-West in Salisbury designed by celebrated garden designer Cleve West.

The award-winning project is the charity’s flagship garden and has had widespread publicity for trail blazing the benefits of gardens and health. Cleve won three Society of Garden Designers awards for the garden and the landscaper won two BALI awards. The garden was voted the nation’s favourite regional garden the English Garden awards in 2019.

As head gardener will be responsible for leading the project and caring for the garden and the patients who use it. You will collaborate with the rehabilitation centre’s staff, to create a vibrant sanctuary which meets the needs of the charities beneficiaries.

You will join a lively, friendly knowledgeable team of five other dedicated head gardeners across the charity’s other gardens. The role is supported by a part-time Garden Administrator, along with a team of incredible volunteers, who in 2019 received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Together they nurture the beautiful space for patients, NHS staff and their visitors. 

You will be responsible for delivering a therapeutic gardening programme as well as arts activities for patients in the garden, supported by the charity’s Arts Co-ordinator. With the garden administrator you will also arrange social events for patients and their families in co-ordination with the rehabilitation centre’s team.

The role is a fantastic opportunity for a confident gardener with an interest in gardens and wellbeing and a passion for people as well as plants. We welcome informal enquiries.

The role is flexible for 4-5 days per week. Salary depending on experience approx. £30,000- £31,000 FTE.

 

Experience, Qualifications and Skills

Essential

• Practical experience as a gardener, including experience of garden management.
• Minimum of RHS Level 2 Diploma in Principles and Practices of Horticulture or equivalent.
• Management of and working with, volunteers.
• Empathic, kind and a great communicator.
• Experience of leading and managing teams.
• Confident public speaker.
• Able to manage budgets and petty cash.

 

Desirable

• Post Graduate Diploma in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture.
• Experience of therapeutic activities.
• Good IT skills, specifically proficient with Microsoft Office 365: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
• Digital photography.
• Working in the voluntary sector.
• NHS experience or work in a health care setting.
• Supplier management and ordering.

 

Qualities

• Able to meet the physical demands of the job.
• Willingness to show commitment and flexibility in working practice.
• Self-motivated and capable of working with the minimum of direction but understanding the limits of your knowledge and able to seek advice when required.

 

APPLICATION

Please write a one page covering letter explaining why you would be suited to this role and a one page CV to jacqui@horatiosgarden.org.uk

Job Type: Permanent

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sectors of society.

NOTE: DBS, medical and reference checks will be conducted as part of the recruitment process.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 31st October