The spinal injury charity Horatio’s Garden, is a nationwide charity creating and nurturing beautifully designed gardens in NHS’s spinal injury centres. The Head Gardener will be responsible for leading the project and caring for the garden and supporting the patients who use it. You will run a thriving, vibrant sanctuary which meets the needs of the charity’s beneficiaries.
As Head Gardener, you will be working closely with renowned garden designers Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg and their team, to plant and establish the new garden which is due to open in February 2025. The design of this garden was represented at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year for which it won both a gold medal and best in show. The project has had widespread publicity throughout the fundraising and development stages, and will trail blaze the benefits of gardens and health.
The fully accessible garden, designed to be vibrant sanctuaries for patients, will include a water feature, garden pod and a large garden room to give patients a warm sheltered place to enjoy the garden in all weather. There will be a large glasshouse, and an area of raised beds for patients where you will lead garden therapy sessions and a dedicated office space, looking out over the garden.
The Head Gardener will join a team of seven other dedicated Head Gardeners across the charity’s existing projects. You will work with a part-time Garden Administrator and a team of volunteers to nurture the beautiful space for patients and their visitors. Harris Bugg Studio will be closely involved as the garden grows, visiting regularly and offering advice.
You will be responsible for delivering a therapeutic gardening programme as well as arts activities for patients in the garden, supported by the charity’s Arts Co-ordinator. With the Garden Administrator you will also arrange social events for patients and their families in collaboration with the rehabilitation centre’s team.
The role is a fantastic opportunity for a confident, experienced gardener with an interest in gardens and wellbeing, and a passion for people as well as plants.
- Contract: permanent, full-time
- Location: Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
- Salary: £36,000 per annum
- Application closing date: 27th of October 2024
Full job description and application details can be found here.