Volunteer Project Assistant

Role title: Volunteer Project Assistant
Responsible to: StC Site Transformation Team Lead
Duration: 3+ months
Commitment: up to 14 hours per week
Working from: from office/ on site with Sow the City staff

NB: You may be asked to undertake a DBS check for this role, but this will be paid for by Sow the City.

About us:

• Sow the City is a Manchester-based nonprofit social enterprise, founded in 2009 with a few packets of seeds and some compost to help communities create greener cities and connect with nature.
• We partner with grassroots groups, community gardens, businesses and organisations and are creating a movement of people and organisations that care about nature in cities.
• We transform derelict and unused land into thriving community green and blue space, tackling inequality, and delivering programs that enrich learning, and promote wellbeing.
• Our portfolio spans a wide range of projects including food growing spaces, allotment and wildlife gardens, biophilic design, health gardens, nature restoration, green roofs, wetland habitats and health and sensory gardens.
• Our office is based at our community centre the Boiler House (www.boilerhouse.org) in Moss Side near central Manchester. You will work delivering community projects and workshops across Greater Manchester.
• Since we were founded, we have provided courses/ workshops for 21,000 people, facilitated over 15,000 volunteering hours, and transformed almost 14,000 m2 of unused and derelict land into useful community green and blue infrastructure.

Main Purpose of the Role:

Sow the City is looking for a Volunteer Project Assistant to help with our projects. You would be based at the Boiler House in Moss Side and have a varied role assisting in the delivery of community greening projects for Sow the City at various community gardens and greenspaces across Greater Manchester. Ideally, we would like a commitment of at least 14 hours per week for this role.

Duties:

• Help with practical, hands-on activities e.g., building and planting in Manchester greenspaces
• Assist at sessions and events e.g., with practical tasks, communicating with participants, organising materials and equipment, ensuring health and safety protocols followed
• Help to organise events and training sessions
• Assist with marketing and promoting courses, events and projects through social media, posters, flyers etc.
• Provide administrative assistance with office duties
• Support Sow the City by researching new projects and initiatives
• Undertake other training and duties appropriate to the job

What you can expect from Sow the City:

• An excellent opportunity to build up your skills, enhance your CV and increase your employability
• An induction that introduces you to Sow the City systems and goals
• A chance to develop skills through hands-on experience
• Regular support and supervision from a named supervisor
• Training that relates to both your work and key sustainability issues
• The opportunity to discover and support community projects across Greater Manchester
• Volunteer expenses to cover food and travel costs (if not already covered)