Emmanuel House Support Centre
53-61 Goose Gate
Nottingham
NG1 1FE
asia@emmanuelhouse.org.uk
www.emmanuelhouse.org.uk
0115 950 7140
30/04/2026
Re: Allotment Sessional Worker
Thank you for your interest in the role of Allotment Sessional Worker.
Below you will find the full job description and person specification. To apply please send your CV and covering letter/email to asia@emmanuelhouse.org.uk
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, including those who have lived experience of homelessness. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, from people who identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBTQ+) and from people who consider themselves to have a disability. We believe people with these lived perspectives have a particular contribution to make to Emmanuel House and the homelessness sector.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Yours faithfully
Asia Krzyzanowska
Outreach Services Manager
Allotment Worker
Emmanuel House has had an allotment on the historic St Ann’s site for approximately 15 years. As well as vegetable beds, soft fruit and fruit trees, there is a nice cabin and a large wildlife pond.
Throughout the growing season we run weekly gardening sessions, offering users of our service the opportunity to access a tranquil space in our busy city.
2026 promises to be an exciting year for the gardening group, as we re-build our weekly sessions, following a small hiatus due to a lack of funding.
A typical Thursday session will begin with the group meeting at Emmanuel House for a brew and a light breakfast before heading up to the site by taxi. Some participants will meet us at the gate to the site and we will walk up to the plot together.
Our sessions let participants engage with the project at their level, whether they want to find peace or busyness they can get involved in gardening, and site improvement projects such as preserving the gate and benches.
On the Thursday session the participants can get involved in preparing and cooking a meal, which we eat together.
What we offer:
• A good induction into your role and training that will enable you to feel you are making a positive contribution.
Opportunity to progress in the homelessness sector.
• Fair pay that is reviewed annually.
• A friendly and supportive team and working environment.
• Rolled-Up holiday pay.
• Free refreshments.
• A rewarding work experience.
Job Description
Job Title: Allotment Sessional Worker
Reports to: Outreach Services Manager
Salary: £12.71 per hour
Working hours: Between March and October we are looking for cover every Thursday
10am-3pm. Additional hours for admin/food shopping as required
Tenure: Zero Hour Contract
Deadline: 9am 18.05.2026
Purpose:
Working under the guidance of the Outreach Services Manager and in partnership with a Co-workers, to coordinate and deliver a weekly gardening session for homeless or vulnerably housed beneficiaries with support needs.
Principal duties:
To receive referrals into the programme, and help welcome and induct new participants.
In conjunction with your co-worker to plan and deliver allotment gardening activities, ensuring that beneficiaries are appropriately engaged.
To support participants to garden within their own spaces and to move on from the project into mainstream community gardening, training or volunteering activities etc.
• To be responsible for risk assessing and the delivery of health and safety throughout the programme.
• To develop the garden site, including improving the beds, compost area and rain water harvesting.
Maintain good records, including service user feedback, monitoring of outcomes and produce reports for Emmanuel House and funders of the project.
• To open up and close the allotment.
• To promote the project to partner agencies, both within homelessness and in the community gardening environment.
To promote the therapeutic benefit of the outdoors to a hard-to-reach client group, of homeless, vulnerable, marginalized and socially isolated people.
• Nurture partnerships and developments with other providers and referral agencies.
• To incorporate, develop and support the role of volunteers within activity sessions.
• To be responsible for purchases as required and complete monthly expenses.
General requirements
• To attend staff meeting when required.
• To be committed to, and take an active interest in best practice in both external and internal communications.
• Undertake training, supervision and be committed to own development.
• Undertake any other tasks as deemed appropriate by the Centre Manager.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
All workers need to be over the age of 18
| Essential/Desirable | How tested: | |
| Attitude | ||
| Champion the therapeutic benefit of greenspaces to a hard-to-reach client group ofhomeless, vulnerable, marginalized andsocially isolated people. | E | Application andInterview |
| Maintain a non-judgemental, supportiveapproach and treat all beneficiaries withrespect and understanding. | E | Application |
| Knowledge | ||
| Good knowledge of gardening | E | Application andInterview |
| Awareness of Voluntary and statutoryagencies in Nottingham | D | Application |
| Knowledge of Health and Safety and RiskAssessment in relation to activities | E | Interview |
| Experience: | ||
| Experience of growing vegetables andplants | E | Application |
| Experience of working with groups | E | Application |
| Experience of managing group activities | E | Interview |
| Experience of working with volunteers | D | Interview |
Charity number: 1077424
Company limited by guarantee: 03798780
| Experience of working with vulnerablepeople in a paid or voluntary capacity | D | Interview |
| Skills | ||
| Ability to lead the communal preparation ofa vegetarian meal for up to 15 people. | E | Application/lnterview |
| Ability to contribute to the organizing of aprogram of activities | E | Interview |
| Ability to lead group activities | E | Interview |
| Ability to work as part of a team | E | Interview |
| Ability to motivate disengaged ServiceUsers | E | Interview |
| Ability to deal with challenging behaviourand challenging situations | E | Interview |
| Ability to develop and maintain positiveprofessional relationships withbeneficiaries particularly in relation toconfidentiality | E | Application |
| Ability to carry out physical tasks such asgardening and walking | E | Application |
| Ability to develop partnerships | E | Interview |
| Excellent communication skills | E | Interview |
| Sound time management andorganizational skills | E | Application |
| The ability to speak, read and write in theEnglish language | E | Application |
| Ability to seek advice and support whereneeded, whether emotional or practical | E | Application |
| Ability to implement policies andprocedures | E | Application |
| Ability to use electronic data recordingsystems.Ability to use Microsoft Office, the internet, client database and other IT systems | E | Application |
| Ability to speak other languages | D | Application |
Charity number: 1077424
Company limited by guarantee: 03798780