Senior Gardener

Would you like a job where you can make a real difference to someone’s life?

Then working for Minstead Trust could be a perfect match for you!

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join working within our Horticulture, Garden and Nursery team.

Senior Gardener

Location: Furzey Gardens, Minstead, New Forest, Hampshire

Salary: Salary £25,000 to £27,000 dependent on experience

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

 Furzey Gardens is a tranquil woodland garden nestled deep in the New Forest, full of rare and unusual plants gathered over past decades and where today’s visitors enjoy meandering the pathways, discovering ‘magical’ fairy doors, visiting the thatched tearooms and much more.

Managed by Minstead Trust, the gardens are a place championing inclusion, supporting and providing work opportunities for people with a learning disability.

Overview of job role:

The Senior Gardener will work closely with the Head of Horticulture, Garden & Nursery Team, Day Instructors and Volunteers to support the overall vision for the future of the garden, ensuring an excellent visitor experience, reflecting the historic horticultural importance of the gardens and plant collection.

This opportunity offers real variety, whether undertaking practical tasks in the garden and nursery or supporting trainees, apprentices and volunteers with daily activities such as garden maintenance, propagation and plant sales.

You will also be assisting with planning and supervising garden projects across the Furzey Estate including nearby Minstead Lodge grounds. You will be required to work flexibly to cover Furzey Gardens across a 7-day operation.

The role: 

• Undertake practical horticultural management in both the garden and nursery, overseeing high standards of horticultural practice. Foster excellent communication with visitors, colleagues, volunteers, and the people we support. Being able to lead from the front and by example
• Support trainees/apprentices/volunteers with their daily activities including garden maintenance, propagation and plant sales to support Furzey income
• Responsible for compliance including the health and safety of the people who work within the garden and nursery and environmental management
• Putting people first: whether it’s the people we support, colleagues, volunteers or visitors, demonstrating a ‘people focussed’ and first-class communicator
• Promote sustainable gardening practices, raising the standards of maintenance and due diligence and liaise with the Head of Horticulture in support of annual inspections and maintenance works
• Support grounds maintenance across all venues and within our Gardening in the Community social enterprise

What are we looking for:

• Operational and/or commercial garden management experience
• Experience in working with and supporting people with diverse needs, particularly people who have a learning disability desirable
• A full Driving Licence is essential
• Familiar with relevant health & safety legislation
• Relevant training (e.g. pesticides etc) desirable

What benefits can we offer you?

• 33 days holiday (Inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• A celebration day’s leave for your birthday
• Death in service insurance
• Company pension
• Health care scheme & access to GP appointments
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work
• Free parking
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• Furzey Garden Membership
• Hanger Farm Membership
• Company sick pay

As well as a passion for horticulture, you must be a skilled communicator, confident engaging with people with learning disabilities, the public and colleagues. This is a truly people-focused role, perfect for someone able to inspire others and live up to our values:

We appreciate each person. Everyone is different–we respect and celebrate this.

We are always learning. We all have something to offer and more to learn.

We are always improving. Striving to give our best and have more impact.

We push for change. We will challenge society to be fully inclusive.

We find the joy in everyday life. We have the freedom to be ourselves and enjoy what we do

“Not everyone gets to work at the Trust, but they should, it is both fulfilling and humbling”  Source: Minstead Trust Staff Survey July 2024

No terminology in the advert you have seen is intended to discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, and we will gladly accept applications from all sections of the community. 

All staff working for, or on behalf of Minstead Trust, understand their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding adults at risk and due to the nature of this employment sector your application is subject to a successful Disclosure and Baring Service check (DBS).

If you would like to apply for this role, please complete our application form and return the completed form to careers@minsteadtrust.org.uk or fill out the online application form. 

Please note that we are not licenced to sponsor employees for visas; therefore, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. You need to have, or be able to obtain, right to work in the UK in order to take up this position.