Garden Partners VolunteerTask Description

Title of role / Garden Partners volunteer
Overall purpose of role / Garden Partners matches garden owners over the age of 60 living in the London Borough of Wandsworth with volunteers who would like to tend a garden regularly.
Where space allows, and both parties want it, the partners will grow and share fruit and/or vegetables.
The ‘garden partners’ form a team to plan the development of the garden and to share in any produce grown. The aim is to establish a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between the garden owner and the volunteer.
Responsible to / Garden Partners Coordinator (GPC)
Outline of activities / Each garden partnership is tailored to the requirements, interests and expectations of the individuals concerned. However, the points below outline the general principles that volunteers should follow:
  • Have regular discussions with your garden partner and decide together on what is to be grown, where, when, how and by whom.
  • In particular, discuss any proposed changes or additions to the garden carefully and ensure that your garden partner understands/fully agrees to what you are suggesting and to the costs involved.
  • Carry out routine garden maintenance tasks, as agreed with your partner. Do your best to achieve a reasonably consistent level of maintenance and keep the garden up to a good standard.
  • Plant, maintain and harvest fruit and/or vegetables to share with your garden partner according to an agreed ratio.
  • Tend the garden at least once a week between March and October, and as necessary during the winter months.
  • Agree with your garden partner in advance the days/times that you will tend the garden.
  • Discuss the costs to be incurred by gardening activity in advance with your garden partner, decide how costs will be met, and keep a written record of all financial transactions (see ‘Reimbursement’ below).
  • Pay attention to your own health and safety and that of the garden owner and other garden users and keep the garden tidy and free of potential hazards.
  • Use garden equipment and productsin the correct manner, according to manufacturers’ instructions,and undertake tasks with due care and attention.
  • Wear suitable clothing/footwear/protective gear for the tasks you are undertaking.
  • Discuss any problems with your garden partner and/or the GPC to seek resolution at an early stage.
  • Inform your garden partner and the GPC of any periods when you will not be able to tend the garden.
  • Inform the GPC of any changes in your/your garden partner’s circumstances that affect the operation of the partnership.

Hours or timeframe (if appropriate) /
  • A minimum of two hours per week from March to October, although you are likely to need to commit more time than this if you are growing fruit and/or vegetables. The amount of time necessary will also depend upon the size of the garden and the types of work to be done.
  • Once a month or as necessary according to the work to be done during the winter months.

Location / Back and/or front garden of your allocated partner.
Personal qualities, skills and experience required /
  • An interest in befriending an older person is essential.
  • Gardening experience and horticultural knowledge are desirable, but not essential. What matters most is enthusiasm and energy, plus a willingness to learn and to work positively and sensitively with the garden owner.

Support and training /
  • The GPC is available for information and advice, and will circulate information on external training opportunities available.
  • Other volunteers may able to offer mentoring help, and there are opportunities for Garden Partners volunteers to meet socially and exchange plant material.
  • Volunteers are covered under AUW insurance for damage to equipment or persons while they are working in the garden.

Reporting requirements /
  • Please keep the Garden Partners coordinator informed of your progress in the garden and respond promptly to requests for updates.
  • Complete timesheets and/or questionnaires as requested.
  • Inform the GPC if you are unable to tend the garden for any period of time.
  • Inform the GPC of any changes in your circumstances, or those of your garden partner, that may affect the operation of your partnership.

Reimbursement /
  • Your labour in the garden is free, and you should not accept any financial payment from your garden partner.
  • Age UK Wandsworth will reimburse you forout-of-pocket expenses.
  • Where you are growing and sharing fruit and/or vegetables with your garden partner, the cost of this shouldbe shared between you in an agreed proportion (normally 50:50).
  • Where other items are purchased, such as ornamental plants or garden equipment, the garden owner should normally pay for these.
  • You should not normally expect to contribute to the costs of the garden, other than for productive growing.

Other information / Volunteers are free to leave their role at any time, although you are asked to give a minimum of two weeks’ notice to the GPC and your garden partner. Ideally, where you are growing fruit and/or vegetables, you should aim to complete an entire growing season (March to October).

This work outline is binding in honour only, and is not intended to be legally binding

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