Location: Exeter, EX2 5AF
Salary: Negotiable
Date posted: 6th June 2025
Closing date: 27th June 2025
Volunteer Horticulture Support
Job Description:
Days/Times:Ideally Wednesday mornings to support the gardening group, but flexible depending on availability.
Main Purpose:Support the creation and upkeep of a healing garden as part of the NHS Culture of Care Programme and Quality Improvement (QI) initiative. Working with the Occupational Therapy (OT) team, the volunteer will help maintain a therapeutic outdoor space to enhance recovery and wellbeing for service users.
About the Cedars:Coombehaven Ward is a mixed-gender, locked unit offering a secure environment for mental health assessments and tailored treatment. The enclosed garden is a key therapeutic space aiding recovery.
About the Project:The Healing Garden is a new green space developed through the Culture of Care Programme. Led by Rebecca from the OT team, it aims to provide a calming, inclusive environment. The volunteer will support the gardening group, promoting meaningful activity and social inclusion.
About the NHS Culture of Care Programme:A national initiative to transform inpatient services by prioritising safety, dignity, and inclusion. It includes 12 core commitments, such as:
- Ensuring patients feel safe, valued, and included
- Supporting staff wellbeing
- Promoting equity and trauma-informed care
- Involving patients in decisions and daily activities
- Designing environments that support recovery
Main duties of the job
Key Tasks:
- Support practical gardening tasks under supervision in the ward garden
- Assist the OT team and service users in planning and delivering gardening activities
- Take part in planting, weeding, watering, and general maintenance
- Help co-facilitate weekly sessions and encourage engagement
- Share ideas to develop the garden space
- Promote a safe, inclusive, recovery-focused environment
Ideal Candidate:
- Interest or basic knowledge in gardening/horticulture
- Enjoys working outdoors in all weather
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Team player with sensitivity to mental health needs
- Reliable and open to learning
Additional Info:
- Must be 18+
- Subject to references and DBS check
- Completion of Trust induction, mandatory/statutory training, and refreshers required
- Log weekly hours via Better Impact system
- Maintain regular contact with line manager and report concerns
- Follow health and safety procedures
- Travel expenses reimbursed (policy applies)
- References available after 6 months
- Voluntary role with no employment relationship implied
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Contact information:
Early Career and Volunteer Coordinator
Pauline Champion
