JOIN OUR TEAM
Hospice gardening volunteer
Cornwall Hospice Care is a 24/7 Cornish healthcare charity that provides specialist support for people with terminal illnesses. Our clinical teams support in and out patients and their families at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St Austell, St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle and in Cornwall’s hospitals, care homes and in the community.
Most patients come into our units because they are having a difficult time with particular symptoms or because of the overall impact of their illness. Volunteers are integral to the care offered at the hospice. They bring a breadth of experience, skill and ability to all areas of hospice care.
What does a Hospice Gardening Volunteer do?
As a Hospice Gardening Volunteer you’ll be part of a team that strives to maintain our hospice gardens to an excellent standard. The garden is enjoyed and used by our patients and their families for recreation and contemplation purposes, to help spiritual and mental well-being, and as a place to sit and reflect whatever the season.
Hospice Gardening Volunteer Key responsibilities:
Gardening maintenance tasks may vary on a weekly or seasonal basis and could include:
- Soil cultivation, digging, forking and mulching.
- Watering, raking, weeding, de-heading, edging and pruning.
- Bed preparation, planting and pots maintenance.
- To keep the tool shed clean and tidy and to ensure all gardening equipment is kept secure.
- To always keep the gardens and footpaths clear and free from litter
- To leave the garden tidy after working in it by gathering up any cuttings or pruning material and taking to the designated area.
Volunteer Commitment:
Flexible between the hours of 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
Whether you can offer 2 or 3 hours preferably weekly or fortnightly, liaising with the Head of Maintenance about the tasks required.
As a Hospice Gardening Volunteer you will be asked to attend any meetings or training where appropriate.
Volunteer skills and qualities
- Enthusiastic and enjoy gardening.
- Knowledgeable about basic gardening skills e.g. pruning, weeding, planting etc.
- Knowledgeable about the use of gardening tools and techniques
- Sensitive to the needs of those affected by life-limiting illnesses.
- Courteous, friendly and approachable.
- Be able to work effectively in a team or alone.
- Have a good understanding of confidentiality.
- Sense of humour.
- Commitment to the ethos of Cornwall Hospice Care.
Induction and Training
All new Hospice Gardening Volunteers are asked to attend an induction session which covers topics including the code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, fire evacuation procedures, infection prevention and control measures as well as other relevant Hospice information.
Volunteers will be asked to complete some mandatory training to keep up to date with organisational and legal regulation changes.
We hope each volunteer maintains regular contact with the Volunteer Services team, and takes responsibility for communication regarding their role and responsibilities.
What you can expect from Cornwall Hospice Care
- To be valued and respected
- To receive appropriate induction and training
- To have adequate support and supervision
- To have a safe working environment
- To be reimbursed for reasonable out of pocket expenses
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references
As you’ll be volunteering at our hospices, this position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at Standard Level.
