Volunteer Gardener
Location: Skanda Vale Hospice, Saron, Llandysul, SA44 5DY, or Skanda Hafan, Dolgran, Pencader SA39 9BX.
Hours: Flexible, although most volunteers give their time weekly and also support with occasional open garden events.
Supported by: Gardening Lead.
Overview
As a volunteer gardener, you’ll be helping create and maintain a set of magical spaces designed to uplift everyone who spends time in them. Your attention will be focused on where it is needed most — whether you choose to help upkeep the grounds and garden structures at the Hospice itself or those at our Holiday Accommodation business in Dolgran.
We encourage everyone in the garden team to share their ideas and creativity to shape areas for well-being that benefit visitors to the hospice and that also complement the fabulous accommodation available to paying guests in Dolgran who help fund our services.
What you’ll be doing:
- A range of regular and seasonal garden tasks: Our gardens are large and include a number of varied spaces so activities like mowing, clearing, weeding and deadheading are routine.
- Preparation, planting and nurturing of specific garden areas throughout the seasons including digging, potting and pruning.
- Grounds maintenance: Aside from the planted gardens we have ramps as well as patio and parking areas that need sweeping, weeding, pressure washing etc.
- Aspects of simple construction: Depending on your fitness and ability, there are opportunities to help with building or renewing garden structures.
- Using gardening tools: We provide standard gardening equipment (spades, forks, wheelbarrows, rakes, secateurs etc) to be used safely in a full range of gardening activities. Appropriate clothing must be worn (including closed-top shoes, gloves etc).
- Being physically active: Tasks are shared based on volunteers’ abilities but an element of physical stamina is useful as you may be on your feet for some time.
Personal qualities & experience:
- Previous experience: Some gardening knowledge and experience is helpful but not essential.
- A love of nature and creativity: Whether you’re a budding designer, whether you’re new to tending outside spaces or if the great outdoors is simply your passion — this is a must.
- A team player: Each site has its own teams of dedicated, friendly volunteers; so a sense of camaraderie, team spirit and enjoyment of working alongside colleagues is vital.
Training & support:
- Our gardeners receive induction and training and are invited to team development opportunities and supported to feel confident in their role.
YOUR STEPS TO JOINING OUR TEAM
Choose how to submit your application:
- Option 1: Complete and submit the online form below.
- Option 2: Download and email the form to: volunteers@skandavalehospice.org
- Option 3: Download print and post the form to: People Team, Skanda Vale Hospice, Saron, Llandysul, SA44 5DY.
One of our team will be in touch to talk through the details.
Come and meet us for a friendly conversation / interview to ensure we’re a good fit for one another.
After we’ve run our checks we’ll invite you to an Induction Day and welcome you into the team!
Volunteering application form
All our teams take part in training so do ensure you’re happy with that before submitting your form. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship for overseas volunteers.
Interested in volunteering?
Nicky Gilbert, our Recruitment Lead, reads every enquiry and will be in touch within a few working days.
