Gardening

Are you passionate about gardening and love nurturing nature’s beauty? Working in our village ‘Potting Shed’, you will enable our residents to bring life and colour to outdoor spaces. Fostering a sense of tranquillity and connecting with the outdoors you will enjoy creating a vegetable patch and potting plants whilst sharing your skills and knowledge with our villagers.

Primary purpose of position

Service is at the heart of the vision and mission of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish. The act of volunteering in the service of others is an expression of faith and love that is highly valued in our Parish.
The primary purpose of the role is to support and assist residents with undertaking light gardening related activities. This role works out of The Potting Shed so a willingness to work undercover outdoors is required.

Key responsibilities

  • Support and assist residents to plant and grow vegetables/plants within the raised garden beds and in pots
  • Encourage residents to enjoy the outdoor spaces and gardens
  • Engage in conversation with residents regarding gardening, plants, flowers
  • Activities include, planting, pruning, mulching, potting and weeding
  • All necessary tools for the role will be provided

Skills, abilities and attributes

  • Basic skills in gardening and/or horticulture are beneficial
  • A keen interest in engaging with residents living with dementia
  • A patient, empathetic and non-judgemental approach
  • Good communication skills including a clear speaking voice and ability to listen
  • Be reliable, consistent and dependable
  • Ability to work independently but know when to seek advice or report concerns

Role duration and commitment

We encourage volunteers to stay for a minimum period of one year, to make full use of the training and support offered and give them time to build a relationship with the residents they are supporting. Depending on the needs of the residents and the availability of the volunteer, volunteers commit to visit on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, as agreed with staff.  

You will need

  • Current National Criminal History Record Clearance – SACP will support you to obtain this
  • Vaccinations in accordance with Parish policy and/or applicable PHO’s
  • NDIS Worker Check or the ability to obtain one – SACP will support you to obtain this

Induction and training

All volunteers are provided with training, orientation and on-going support 

Benefits of volunteering with St Agnes’ Catholic Parish

  • Enhancing the lives of older people living with dementia
  • Meeting and working with new people
  • The opportunity to develop new skills and interests
  • Feeling part of a worthwhile organisation
  • The opportunity to access and participate in other volunteering roles should you wish

Express your interest.

Next Steps.