Job summary
- Main area
- Volunteer
- Grade
- N/A
- Contract
- Voluntary
- Hours
- Part time - We are looking for a volunteer who can offer a few hours of support each week, between a Monday to Thursday, between 9-4pm
- Job ref
- 285-8307-CORP
- Employer
- Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bushey Fields Hospital
- Town
- Dudley
- Salary
- £0 Voluntary (unpaid)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 08/02/2026 09:00
Employer heading
Gardening Maintenance Volunteer - Bushey Fields
N/A
Job overview
Purpose of volunteering role: to support the Occupational Therapy team, with developing and maintaining therapeutic garden spaces at Bushey Fields Mental Health Hospital.
This is a voluntary role which is unpaid.
Black Country Healthcare is a major provider of NHS mental health services for more than a million people across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton:
Adult and older adult mental health services
- Specialist learning disabilities services
- Mental health services for children and young people
- Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley
We’re proud to be rated Good by the Care Quality Commission, and that many of our staff have won awards for their work.
Main duties of the job
Examples of how you can help us:
- We are looking for a Gardening Volunteer who feels confident using their gardening knowledge and expertise to help grow and maintain the gardens and green spaces at Bushey Fields.
- The role involves carrying out practical gardening tasks such as planting, pruning, weeding, path maintenance, and general allotment‑style upkeep
- We are seeking someone who can work independently, take initiative, and bring fresh ideas to enhance the garden in ways that support patient recovery.
- We are looking for a volunteer who can offer a few hours of support each week, between a Monday to Thursday.
- Desirable: The team would also welcome someone who can support the Thursday afternoon ‘Nature Space’ gardening group with patients, and who can contribute ideas for meaningful outdoor activities that patients may enjoy.
- Must be able to travel to Bushey Fields Hospital (travel expenses can be reimbursed)
Working for our organisation
How we can support you:
- Training and Induction.
- One to one support meetings.
- We can provide a reference for future employment.
- Travel expenses will be paid.
- Further training opportunities.
- Support you to learn new skills and gain experience.
- Create a plan together to meet your volunteering goals
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are looking for volunteers who have these qualities:
- Demonstrate good horticultural or gardening skills - whether gained through paid work or personal projects.
- Some awareness of mental health issues.
- Confident in sharing skills and supporting individuals with varying abilities, offering guidance in a patient and inclusive manner.
- Demonstrates good communication skills and is friendly and welcoming, able to engage comfortably with patients and staff
- Able to follow confidentiality policy and professional boundaries to keep themselves and patients safe.
- Ability to use digital technology for e-learning training (we can support you with this)
- Reliability - desirable that volunteers can support regularly, to provide stability to the team/patients and themselves.
- Live in the Black Country, within a reasonable travel distance to site.
- Volunteers must be over 18
Our Trust Values:
Caring
We care for everyone as individuals, being compassionate, empathetic and kind with a willingness to help.
Enabling
We enable ourselves and others to act with confidence and authority in order to achieve the best outcome for everyone.
Working Together
We work together in partnership, being inclusive by understanding and valuing others to achieve the best results for everyone in everything we do.
Integrity
We act with transparency and honesty; respecting and valuing others to do the right thing at the right time for everyone.
We’re committed to building a workforce and culture that reflects our varied population – and to create a culture of belonging. We always engage and involve when making key decisions, regardless of role or level. For example, we have worked closely with staff, patients, community groups and other key partners, in putting together our clinical strategy.
Due to the nature of our work some volunteering roles may be subject to a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service as stipulated under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from volunteering with us; this will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.
Person specification
values
Essential criteria
- Gardening experience - personal/work experience
- Live within the Black Country or within a reasonable travel distance to our sites
- Over 18 years old
- Awareness of mental health
Desirable criteria
- Passion for mental health services
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Ruby-Jane Jarvis
- Job title
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07423687464
List jobs with Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Volunteers or all sectors