The Secret Garden - Gardening Volunteer

Where: Activities are based at the Secret Garden, a private garden at St Fagans National Museum of History.

When:  Mondays 10.30-3.30 and Wednesdays 12.30-3.30

This opportunity is provided by Innovate Trust, a Welsh charity which supports people with learning disabilities to lead fulfilled lives at home and in the community.

The Secret Garden is a horticulture and history project based at St Fagans National Museum of History. Innovate Trust are supporting adults with additional needs to care for and develop a private cottage garden based on the museum’s site. This involves tasks such as planting seeds, bulbs and established plants, designing planting beds, weeding, cutting back and growing fruit and veg.

We’re looking for volunteers who would like to work alongside people with learning disabilities, supporting them to carry out gardening tasks. The role is perfect for someone who’s interested in gardening, enjoys meeting new people and working outdoors. We also have opportunities for volunteers to support the heritage side of the project, supporting individuals to carry out historical research – please see other opportunity.

The role:

• Ideally you will commit to attending 1 of the weekly sessions.
• The Project Officer will set tasks for the session so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have much previous gardening experience.
• You’ll carry out gardening tasks alongside people with learning disabilities, supporting and encouraging them as you go.
• There will be additional, ad-hoc one-off sessions which you can choose to join if you wish.
• Comprehensive training will be provided and you’ll be well supported by Innovate Trust who will always have a staff member present.

Aims:

• To help people with learning disabilities to enjoy the benefits of gardening.
• To help build the confidence and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities.
• To challenge the public’s expectations and assumptions about people with learning disabilities, particularly their ability to make a valuable contribution to the community.
• To help develop The Secret Garden in line with project participants’ vision.

Application process:

1. Complete SVC’s Volunteer Application Form

2. DBS check and suitable references required

3. Attend volunteer training with Innovate Trust

This project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Thanks to National Lottery Players.