Community Food & Gardening Volunteer

Oasis House is a supported accommodation service in Northampton, supporting clients to develop confidence, independence and practical life skills. The Grow, Cook & Eat project gives clients the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables, learn how to cook healthy meals and enjoy the food they have grown. Volunteers will play a key role in supporting clients who choose to commit to the project. Full training will be provided. Could you help our clients grow, cook and eat their way to greater independence? · Do you have an interest in gardening, growing food, or cooking · Can you encourage a client to learn new practical skills and build confidence? · Would you enjoy teaching someone how to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs? · Can you help clients turn what they grow into simple, healthy and affordable meals? · Would you like to help create positive social activities and stronger community connections at Oasis House? If you can answer 'yes' to these questions, then we would love to hear from you! About the Grow, Cook & Eat Project Grow, Cook & Eat is a community-focused initiative designed to build practical skills, improve food choices, promote wellbeing and strengthen social connections. At Oasis House, the project will be delivered in a practical and supportive way. Clients who want to commit to the programme will be encouraged to take part in growing, cooking and eating activities, with volunteers providing guidance and encouragement Key responsibilities Your role will include, but is not restricted to, the following tasks: · Teach clients how to plant seeds and seedlings and care for fruit, vegetables and herbs. · Help clients understand simple, seasonal and low-cost ways of growing food. · Encourage clients to take responsibility for watering, maintaining and looking after their growing areas. · Support clients to recognise when produce is ready to harvest and show them how to harvest it safely. · Help clients use produce they have grown as part of cooking activities. · Help clients explore affordable meals, meal planning and ways to reduce food waste. · Encourage clients to cook for themselves rather than doing tasks for them, promoting independence wherever possible. · Create a friendly and inclusive environment where clients feel comfortable learning and trying new things. · Follow Oasis House policies, safeguarding procedures, health and safety guidance and professional boundaries. What difference will you make? By supporting this project, you can help clients develop practical life skills that can be used both inside and outside Oasis House. · Build practical skills in growing and cooking healthy food. · Improve confidence and independence. · Encourage healthier food choices. · Develop budgeting and meal-planning skills. · Promote wellbeing through purposeful activities. · Reduce loneliness and isolation through shared activities. · Strengthen social connections and a sense of community. · Give clients a sense of achievement from growing, cooking and eating food they have produced. The approach The volunteer's role is to teach, encourage and support. The aim is not for volunteers to do everything for clients, but to help clients learn how to do things for themselves. All volunteers will receive full training prior to teaching client.