River Garden Auchincruive presents a wonderful opportunity for an Operations Manager within a charity supporting people’s recovery from drug and alcohol addiction through a model of Social Enterprise.

This is demanding and rewarding role for a person with drive and initiative. The post holder will manage the day to day working operations at River Garden in relation to residents, peer workers and volunteers; ensuring compliance with relevant legislation including Health & Safety and employment.

The Operations Manager has active oversight and particular operational responsibility for the residents of the River Garden Auchincruive recovery community. Of particular importance in this regard is the Charity’s stance of zero tolerance of any use of alcohol or drugs (illegal or unprescribed) on site.

Our ideal candidate will have significant experience of working in addictions, mental health and the recovery sector; and will be able to demonstrate a range of qualities, abilities and experience such as:

• Demonstrably excellent communication skills.
• Lived experience of recovery from alcohol or drug misuse.
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• A successful track record and experience of managing complex projects.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Experience of providing support on a 1:1 and group basis.
• The ability to manage and motivate a wide range of individuals including residents, peers and volunteers.
• Understanding of the challenges that may be experienced in a residential community with the knowledge and ability to resolve difficult situations.
• A full clean driving licence
• A valid current work visa, residency or citizenship.

Charity overview

River Garden is set in a beautiful rural location in South Ayrshire where a more appropriate setting for recovery could not be imagined. Operating from a 48.5 acre site on the river Ayr, we are building a community dedicated to sustainable recovery from drugs and alcohol through our vibrant, innovative approach to the development of social enterprises to provide occupation and learning for our residents and to support the continued growth of our dreams.

Our approach is unique in Scotland and combines a “work orientated approach” through working in our various enterprises, backed up by specific, time tested input on recovery models of care, residents can grow over the 3-year residential journey into rounded people whose recovery and abstinence is sustainable and who feel pride in themselves as productive, engaged members of their various local communities.

Our first social enterprise “The Bothy Café” is firmly establishing itself as a “go to” place for the local community and the open access nature of our site has a significant de-stigmatising benefit for those in recovery. Our “fledgling” events management social enterprise fills us with excitement and our purpose-built River Garden woodworking enterprise is on the cusp of opening. We are committed to this being our “Year of the garden” where we, through our residents, volunteers and staff, strive to enhance the experience of visitors to our site and the gardens we have on the estate.

We have exciting plans for developing new social enterprises over the next few years. The challenge is significant and the rewards are immense. This is an exciting time for River Garden, with massive infrastructural change sponsored by The Social Inclusion Partnership and the Scottish Government. We look forward to increasing our resident numbers to 50+ over the next few years.

To find out more: check out our website at rivergarden.scot