What we’re looking for?

For a local gardener, landscaper or allotment fanatic...to help our young people, 'Breaking Ground', shape our shared allotment into a more productive and defined site for all the community to enjoy. 

We have BIG plans for our shared community allotment with PXI, and with winter approaching we want to get ourselves ready for a blossoming spring and summer for 2022. We love spending time on our allotment and completed a number of building projects over the past year; pizza oven, shed from scratch and an outdoor kitchen.

Alongside building we have dabbled in growing lots of rhubarb, tomatoes (although lost to Blight) and lots of squashes. We have some fruit trees and bushes. However, we haven't spent much of our focused attention to the green-side for a while since COVID distracted and changed our plans. So there is still a lot of overgrown areas and small uneven wobbly paths. Our partner, PXI has worked with the community to draw up some plans and ethos for the space.

We do respect the wild-side and don't want it to be perfect, but we do want it to be a more accessible space for everyone who uses it such as widening paths and better accessed raised beds, etc. It would be ideal to get someone in to help guide us month by month on what jobs need to be done (pruning, planting, dividing) and a plan for how to use allotment more productively (maybe selling our flowers for market or growing fresh, local produce for the National Food Service).

Our young people are mindful of not upsetting the wildlife on the allotments, and we are keen to include sustainable, eco-conscious and low-impact ideas. We've liked the no-dig approach, using cardboard and wool. Our composting bins needs a bit of TLC. Breaking Ground are also keen to revamp our wildlife pond.

The delivery is once a month sessions + planning time for 6 months. Scroll down to ‘The Details’ for full schedule.

Essential:

You will:

• help lead a consultation with the young people to share, involve and vote on plans with allotment community, e.g. Our partners (PXI, Norwood Allotment Committee) and other users.
• work collaboratively with young people
• maintain good relationship with PXI, Norwood Allotment users and visiting groups (Willowbeck Care)
• make the workshops accessible for the young people to work hands-on
• create a plan for each month including the tasks the young people can continue with each week
• include these ideas somewhere into your plans: allotment tours for inspiration (on/off site), widen paths and wild-life pond
• provide an assessment on your environmental and waste impact
• be responsible for purchasing materials within budget provided
• report weekly back to Brightbox (one picture and update)

Desirable

• Enhanced DBS check. If you do not have one, Brightbox will request for one on your behalf.

If this sounds like an opportunity you are interested in please click the ‘I want to apply’ button and fill in the form. Alternatively, if you would like to find out more about the role, you can book an information session below.

The Details

If you would like to discuss alternative application and interview formats, or any support you need, please get in touch with Elle at elle@brightbox.org.uk

These workshops are intended primarily to prioritise the people living and working in the S5 wards (Southey, Firth Park, Parsons Cross, etc) to join as participants and role models.