Team: Potters Planters

Location: Middleton & Seacroft St Albans

Time commitment: 5 – 10 hours per week

Minimum Age: 18 +

Expenses: Yes

DBS Required: Yes

United Response is a national charity which provides support to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, physical disabilities and mental health to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. We are looking for volunteers who want to help out within their community and to make a difference to the lives of people we support. 

The Project – Potters Planters

Would you like to join our project and help grow food for the local community? In 2021, United Response started a community food growing project ‘Potters Planters’ . The project is to establish and provide free fresh produce in the Middleton and Seacroft areas of Leeds.

Gardening has been proven to have therapeutic benefits by reducing isolation and improving wellbeing, encouraging people to get outside and connect with nature. It also enables people we support to connect with local people within the communities they live.

We are looking for people who would like to get involved to help the people we support develop this amazing project.

This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, learn new skills, meet new and like-minded people, keep active, and contribute towards your community and the environment.

Responsibilities – what will I be doing?

The role will be to help our services in Leeds set up a polytunnel, build accessible bedding tables and build, plant and maintain planters or unloved green spaces in the local area. This will enable the people we support to connect with the local community, sparking conversations and providing free fresh produce for all.

Skills and experience

We are looking for any keen gardeners and DIY enthusiasts who have food growing or allotment experience, for this role you will need some knowledge in:

  • Garden maintenance
  • Setting up of a polytunnel, bedding tables and planters
  • Potting from seeds and seedlings
  • Planting and harvesting

How many hours do I need to volunteer for?

We are looking for volunteers who could offer 5 – 10 hours per week on a flexible basis, which will suit both the volunteer and our service teams. Volunteers in this role, at times, will be expected to be able to work independently, with limited supervision.

Training

As part of the role you will undergo a number of essential training courses through our eLearning platform, these are detailed below:

  • Health and Safety Awareness eLearning
  • Manual Handling: Objects 
  • Safeguarding Adults At Risk eLearning 
  • Welcome to United Response  

You will be required to undergo a DBS check, provide two references and have proof of double vaccination if successful with this volunteering role. Please complete the application form below.

For further information about volunteering with United Response, visit https://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

Volunteer application form

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Personal details

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