Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

Are you passionate about supporting people to expand their skills through the power of gardening? We provide horticultural training and gardening therapy to adults with learning disabilities, helping them develop employability, build confidence, and improve their social skills. 

Share is a registered charity and a centre for training and wellbeing. We provide a range of programmes helping adults with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs become more happy, healthy and independent. Our vision is a world where disabled people are fully included in society, living the life they choose, and we need talented people to help us make that happen. 

We need an experienced horticulture trainer to lead the training programme at our beautiful garden site in Tooting. We are looking for someone to lead, develop and deliver horticulture training programmes that aims to make sure our students enjoy greater independence and the chance to move closer to employment.  

Main responsibilities 

• You’ll lead, develop, and deliver horticulture training to disabled adults ranging from entry level to level 2
• You’ll champion a strong work ethic in the garden, helping students achieve their qualifications and develop work-related skills, linking closely with our on-site social enterprise Share Nurseries, which grows and sells plants to the public 
• You will manage three members of the horticulture project, overseeing their projects and providing experience and supporting them 
• You’ll maintain student records, oversee the preparation of student portfolios for verification, and report on progress 

Who we’re looking for 

• You have occupational competence in Horticulture, ideally qualified to Level 3 or above 
• You have first-rate interpersonal skills, you’re able to communicate and relate to people from all backgrounds
• You’ve delivered horticulture training, and you’ve successfully organised and led a small team before
• You can enthuse and motivate people who may at times find learning challenging, with your patience, empathy, and understanding of autism and learning disabilities
• Most importantly, you’re committed to the inclusion of disabled people in all aspects of life 

A qualification in horticulture therapy would be an advantage, but a strong interest and passion for the healing power of plants is a must. 

Why work for us?  

Share is committed to empowering disabled people. You’ll make a difference every day, helping people to live as independently as possible. 

Our values drive us forward. They provide the framework for everything we do, including who we hire. We believe everyone has something to offer others, and we build on people's individual talents, interests and abilities. We think happy employees are successful employees. 

We won employer of the year at the Wandsworth Business Awards in 2019 and we hold gold Investors in People accreditation. This means we truly understand the value of people: we focus on what people can do, not what holds them back. And we have robust policies in place so that every single person working at Share takes ownership for making our programmes come to life. 

We’ve been praised for our supportive working environment where everyone has a voice and is valued. You’ll be surrounded by people who support you, challenge you, and inspire you. 

Full list of the benefits when working for Share.

For a full job description, please visit our website.

Application information

We actively encourage applications from people from minoritised ethnic communities and with lived experience of a learning disability and/or autism. This is because we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of our student body wherever possible in order to provide the best possible service.    

Please send us your CV and a cover letter. In your letter, please tell us: 

1. What is your experience of working with SEN adults in a horticulture setting? 
2. What is your understanding of behaviour that challenges? 
3. What are your top three qualities that make you an excellent Lead Horticulture Trainer? 

Please send us your CV and cover letter to hradmin@sharecommunity.org.uk or apply through our website.  

If you would like to have chat about the role or visit us prior to applying, please contact a member of the HR team at hradmin@sharecommunity.org.uk   

We focus on ability and believe people work best when they feel valued, safe and happy. We do all that we can to make sure that Share is friendly and welcoming to everyone. All CVs and applications are sanitised to ensure unbiased recruitment. 

This job is subject to two satisfactory references, evidence of qualifications, an enhanced DBS check and providing evidence of the right to work in the UK. If you are disabled and would like to discuss other ways of submitting your application, please contact us on 020 7924 2949. 

Our privacy policy for job applicants can be found on our website.  

We look forward to receiving your application. 

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