Amisfield Preservation Trust provides a regenerative community space (Amisfield Walled Garden) just outside of Haddington for a wide range of groups. The project is community-led by volunteers working alongside two paid workers. Since project inception, volunteers have recreated a beautiful, historic and peaceful 8 acre walled garden which had fallen into disrepair.

The central aim of the trust is to create a beautiful garden which enhances the wellbeing of visitors and volunteers. The garden helps improve the life chances of those most vulnerable in our community, through support for individuals with barriers to employment ; drives inclusion through involving volunteers with a range of additional support needs; promotes learning through educational activities for school groups with their teachers, and for the general public through a variety of training events; helps the community to flourish through increased social connection and regenerative activities that improve mental / physical wellbeing , resilience and help increase pride in the local community and place. To find out more about Amisfield Walled Garden: amisfield.org.uk

Job Role:

The Board of Amisfield Preservation Trust are keen to increase access to the garden by extending the opening hours over the weekend during the summer months. We are looking for a reliable, flexible, self-motivated and organised person who can manage the opening and closing of the garden during the weekend and on Tuesdays. They would be the point of contact for visitors. The postholder will also work alongside the Garden Coordinator for a half day during the week (Monday to Friday) to ensure they are aligned to the vision and values of the garden, and to communicate any concerns, questions, etc to the Garden Coordinator.

This post is offered on a fixed contract of six months (1st April 2026 to 30th September 2026). The role will be reconsidered by the Board during late 2026 with the possibility of being opened for application in 2027.

The Milton Community Garden Manager will lead the development and delivery of a thriving, community-led garden that improves local health and wellbeing, strengthens community relationships, and increases access to nature. The role will oversee staff, community-led programmes and the garden’s facilities and grounds to ensure the garden supports key outcomes of the National Lottery Community Action Fund.

The postholder will support the garden’s therapeutic, educational and environmental programmes; increase community participation; deliver community meals and activities in collaboration with the Milton Food Hub; and develop the garden as a sustainable asset, including preparing the site for future venue hire and income generation. This is a hands-on role with significant responsibility for operational management, partnership development, and community-led working.

Total of 18 hours per week, at salary £30102 (pro rata £15481) + 25 days Annual Leave & 12 Public Holidays pro rata + 7% pension contribution. Funding is in place until 31 July 2028, subject to annual funding review and required reports.

You will have access to free personal development opportunities and training, casual dress, a supportive team, access to Turadh holiday scheme and flexible working.

Greener Kirkcaldy is a community-led charity working locally to bring people together, take positive action on the climate emergency and support people through fuel poverty and food insecurity. We deliver a range of projects, events and skills training to achieve the needs and goals of local people – building resilience as a community and working towards a future where everyone can live better and tread more lightly on our planet.

Based in the heart of Kirkcaldy – with a community building, training kitchen, bike shop and garden – we carry out activities across Kirkcaldy and work with partners to deliver projects across Fife.

Growing and connection with nature has central to our work since the beginning. Our community training garden at Ravenscraig Walled Garden is a vibrant space. It offers courses, training and volunteer opportunities in gardening and growing. It also includes a community orchard, with over 100 fruit trees and a ‘wild area’ that is set aside for nature.

As lead partner of Climate Action Fife, we work with others to help people to garden in climate-friendly ways. We’ve helped people to plant fruit trees and we recently created a demonstration climate-friendly garden at our community building garden in Kirkcaldy town centre. We are always looking for new opportunities to help local people connect with nature on their doorstep.

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate individual to lead and develop our growing and nature connection projects work.

As part of our Community Engagement Team, you will work with staff, volunteers and partners. You will plan and deliver a diverse range of events, training and volunteer opportunities around growing and nature. We are keen to strengthen our ‘Plot to Plate’ activities, so you will work with our Community Food Team to connect growing with cooking classes, meals and food access projects.

You will play a key role developing new projects and activities, both grant-funded and income generating. You will support a Community Garden Worker and an enthusiastic team of mixed-ability volunteers to maintain and develop our community gardens and coordinate day-to-day activities.

You don’t need to be an expert in climate change or biodiversity. We will provide training and you will be supported by a great team.

Working at Greener Kirkcaldy

We want our town to be a good place to live and work. We believe in a future where everyone has a say in what happens locally, people are working together to protect our environment and those in hardship are supported to live well. That includes are staff and volunteers.

Working at Greener Kirkcaldy involves being part of a positive, collaborative and social team. Our culture is really important to us. We promote equality, diversity and openness. We have a strong focus on staff wellbeing and development and encourage staff initiative and ideas.

Benefits of working for Greener Kirkcaldy

Flexible and hybrid working

Enhanced maternity, paternity and sick pay

Excellent Wellbeing, training and development opportunities

Generous annual leave: 33 days, inclusive of public holidays per annum pro rata, going up to 37 days after 5 years’ service. Plus, an additional 5 days of annual leave (pro rata) over the Christmas period.

Social events

Diversity and inclusion

We want Greener Kirkcaldy to be an inclusive and diverse charity where everyone feels supported, valued and able to be themselves. We take part in Fife Centre for Equalities’ Equality Pathfinders programme. We also take part in the Race Equality Environmental Programme facilitated by CEMVO Scotland. Our Equalities Action Plan sets out the steps we are taking to improve diversity and inclusion.

To achieve our vision of Kirkcaldy as a greener and fairer place to live, we need a diverse team. We encourage applications from people of any background. We know that our sector particularly lacks staff and volunteers with Minority Ethnic backgrounds and disabled people. If you identify as Minority Ethnic or have a disability, we welcome your application.

If you need additional support to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please contact our Office Manager Dianne Girvan. Email dianne@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk.

Introduction

Columcille provides a safe and supportive healthy social environment which offers creative daytime activities and a sense of community from its premises in the Morningside area of Edinburgh. We support people who have learning disabilities, and mental health needs through arts & crafts, cooking, printing, gardening, pottery, drama, keep fit, holistic therapies and dance. Some support is provided in the local community. We provide relationship centred support that upholds the dignity and value of each human being and supports their development and growth.

Relief workers cover staff absences due to illness, holiday or training. There are no guaranteed hours, but for flexible and available individuals there can be regular work.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide support to service users to learn new skills, develop socially, and gain self- confidence and greater independence. This may be small group or 1-1 support.
• Be attentive to group dynamics and proactive in creating a positive atmosphere.
• Respond positively and calmly to any behaviour that challenges.
• Provide personal care and support with using wheelchairs and mobility aids.
• Provide cover on the centre’s tea break and lunch rota as required.
• Tidy workshops each day and help maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Be guided by Columcille policies and procedures and the SSSC Codes of Practice.
• Take part in induction, staff training and supervision meetings.

Essential Skills, Experience and Attributes

• Experience of support work with people with learning disabilities.
• Knowledge and skills relating to one of the work activities listed above.
• An approach based on empathy and positive regard for people
• Attentive and alert to the needs and different communication styles of people
• Compassionate and caring
• Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative.
• A person-centred approach.
• Interest in working from an approach based on the work of Rudolf Steiner using Social Therapy, which values the whole person, meaningful work and productive activity, creativity, community and seasonal and cultural celebrations.
• Become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
• Available for minimum of two days in a week to make the work mutually worthwhile.