The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health is currently recruiting for the following role:

Job title: Education and Events Coordinator

Company: The Serge Hill Project, Sergehill Lane, Bedmond, WD5 0RZ

Reports to: Head of Programmes and The Serge Hill Project Director

Job purpose: To develop, organise and deliver an effective and educational programme for school children, teachers and other educational groups to engage with gardening and the environment for the purposes of learning, creativity and wellbeing. To help organise income generating events and facilitate their smooth running in collaboration with the Head of Programmes.

Salary: This is a full-time position which pays £35,000
Application deadline: Monday 20 January 2025, 12pm
Interviews: Late January / early February 2025

Person Specification

We’re looking for someone who has all or most of the following attributes:

Essential

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to connect with people of all ages, backgrounds and interests
• Self-motivated and well organised with the ability to work as part of a team
• Experience of working with gardens and the natural world
• A commitment to a career in outdoors and creative education
• Creative and innovative approach to engaging children with the natural environment
• Good working knowledge of child safety, welfare and safeguarding practices
• Good logistics and administration skills
• Willingness to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions
• Some experience of live events and dealing with members of the public
• Use of MS Office including Word, Excel and online systems to intermediate level , including the ability to create presentations in PowerPoint
• Full clean driving licence and own car, for outreach work in schools is essential
• The ability to work evening events as required, with time in lieu offered
• Some experience organising and running events

Desirable

• Experience in an educational environment – such as formal or informal teaching spaces including Forest School
• Experience of working with SEND students
• Experience of developing and delivering site-specific programmes of learning activities and educational resources for a variety of learning needs and styles, including producing educational resource material
• Skills in creative activities – e.g. including art, horticulture, photography
• Some knowledge of the National Curriculum

Job Description

• To support the Head of Programmes as required to deliver the Serge Hill Project’s broader aims and objectives
• Participate in delivering the Serge Hill Project’s income generating events, taking responsibility for event logistics and admin in advance and on the day, including front of house activities and welcoming members of the public, organising cleaning rotas and coordinating volunteers, setting up rooms and tech, setting up ticketing pages as required
• Assist with programming and developing event ideas
• Set up The Apple House ahead of events – both public and educational
• Work with the Serge Hill Project Head of Programmes and Director to organise, plan and deliver an effective Education programme for school children and teachers with an interest in gardening, creativity and nature
• Create and develop strong relationships with local schools and other educational providers to ensure ongoing visits across different year groups throughout the year
• Create a programme of seasonal activities for school and community groups including seed sowing, art, food growing and plant identification, exploring the full potential of the site and expertise available. Produce resources for visitors including a sensory map of the Plant Library
• Drive delivery of outreach to local schools in the area, including working with the Serge Hill Project team to develop gardens within local schools
• The ability to produce reports as required
• Liaise with the Head of Programmes to integrate the school programme with the wider schedule of events and activities in The Apple House and Plant Library
• Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required in the post

About The Serge Hill Project

The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health is a not-for-profit initiative based on the understanding that working with nature can radically transform people’s health and wellbeing. The aim is to foster community inclusion through gardening and other forms of creativity.

The Project is based in a one-acre orchard at Serge Hill in Hertfordshire with a Plant Library and large eco-barn, The Apple House, at its centre. It offers resources to local primary and secondary schools, youth organisations and mental health charities, as well as local residents who want to get involved in gardening.

Our community engagement programme focuses on those who have least opportunity to access the natural world. Along with events and organised visits to the Orchard, the Project aims to build long lasting relationships with schools and community groups both locally and further afield.

The Serge Hill Project was set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2021 by Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith. The project draws on Sue’s work as a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and author of the bestselling book The Well Gardened Mind, which investigates the power of gardening to transform lives, as well as Tom’s horticultural expertise as an internationally renowned Landscape Architect.

To find more information about the Serge Hill Project, explore the Serge Hill Project website and Instagram.

The Serge Hill Project Education and Events Coordinator role is made possible through the generous support of the Julia Rausing Trust.

Safeguarding
In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment, the Serge Hill Project implements a range of procedures and actions including criminal record checks to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.

How to apply
To apply: Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and cover letter (no longer than 1 side of A4) outlining your interest in and compatibility for the role.

Applications should be emailed to Becky Fincham, Head of Programmes at info@sergehillproject.co.uk with Education and Events Coordinator in the subject header of your email.
Deadline: Closing date for applications is Monday 20 January 2025, 12pm.

Interviews and Shortlisting: It is anticipated that shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview by early February 2025.