Reach Drug and Alcohol Service is the commissioned community drug and alcohol provision for Dorset. It provides a range of support, interventions and treatments for adults and young people wanting to make positive changes to their drug and/or alcohol use, as well as supporting family members and running campaigns and events that raise awareness of addiction and celebrate recovery in the community.

Reach is delivered in partnership between Waythrough, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership and Essential Drug and Alcohol Services. This role is based with the adults service.

The allotment is part of the holistic recovery offer at Reach, offering the people we support time to connect with each other, with nature, to be more active and to grow and eat the produce grown on site.

Details of the role & tasks

The role:

Allotment Volunteers will support with the running of a weekly allotment group. This is an active volunteer role that will include a range of gardening related tasks as well as being a friendly, welcoming face to people who join the group.

Tasks may include:

Help with setting up and packing away before and after each session

Providing support and guidance on all things allotment and gardening related; including what to plant when and how to look after the growing plants

Suggesting how to cook the produce and sharing potential recipes

Producing charts or information leaflets as required to educate and guide people we support about organic growing from soil to plate.

(co)Facilitate the sessions, ensuring activities are safe and risk assessed as appropriate

Report any concerns, including safeguarding related, that may arise in the group

Support people attending the group to develop their own skills and interests

Promote the activities on offer with the people we support, through posters, presentations and conversations

Personal qualities

Skills and qualities we would love for you to bring to this role:

An interest in gardening and the outdoors

Knowledge of how to plant, grow and cook seasonal produce

Professional, Honest and Committed

Basic IT skills some eLearning based training will need to be completed

Good time keeping

Able to work as part of a team, on own initiative and to instruction

Non-judgmental towards people who experience substance misuse dependency or mental health conditions

Clear understanding of importance of confidentiality

Some experience of working with adults experiencing complex or multiple support needs

A genuine interest in being part of the mission and vision of Waythrough information is available on our website

Ability to maintain professional boundaries, adhere to Waythrough policies, engage in supervision, and complete relevant training

Waythrough

We value our volunteers and seek to ensure their diverse roles are rewarding and beneficial to all. Waythrough holds the Investors in Volunteers accreditation.

What Volunteers can expect from us:

Volunteering with Waythrough offers people a unique chance to have a significant positive impact on peoples lives. We work both with and within diverse communities across the UK and every day we see people making positive changes to turn their lives around. We offer volunteers:

Regular supervision and support

Induction and access to online and face to face training

To learn and practice new skills within a teamwork setting

To feel part of a team and the wider Waythrough organisation

Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey

Opportunities to progress and experience other areas of Waythrough’s work

Our values:

Our values underpin everything we do from how we work together through to how we design and deliver services. All our work to fulfil this vision is strengthened by our values.

Kindness – be generous, caring and understanding.

Courage – be bold, trust, commit.

Respect – everyone deserves dignity.

Location: Gillingham Allotment

Timing: 3 hours per week, every Tuesday

Training: Volunteers have access to Waythroughs training platform, Workday, and will be asked to complete a number of training modules within their first 3 months.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, weve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services and its all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job its a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, youll enjoy:

Discounts from various schemes

Training and personal development

A chance to make a real difference in peoples lives

Free induction and role-specific training

Support from experienced staff and regular supervision

Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence

Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses

Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme – all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk

How to apply

If youre viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click Apply via company website to view the full job description and submit your application.

Please note that while this role has a stated closing date, we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a high number of applications.

Closing date: