Key Volunteer – Farm Club

Volunteers are needed Thursday 3.45pm-5.45pm and/or Saturday 9.45am-12.15pm.

Farm Club sessions let children aged 5-11 explore all that our 37 acre site has to offer. Whether it’s collecting eggs, foraging, crafts, cooking, pony-grooming or alpaca handling, no two sessions are the same. The group has been shown to build self-esteem and collaboration skills and to improve mental health. Run by experienced staff, we work with children with a wide variety of interests and needs and as such, quality Key Volunteers can have a really positive impact on the group.

Volunteers are needed Thursday 3.45pm-5.45pm and/or Saturday 9.45am-12.15pm.
Role description: To Assist the Farm Club Project Coordinator in the day-to-day running of the group. The role will work closely with Farm Staff including Project Coordinator and CYP Programme Manager.

Please note, Bath City Farm takes the safeguarding of our participants extremely seriously. All Key Volunteers will be required to have a DBS check prior to beginning with us, and will receive safeguarding training upon induction.

Key duties:

• • Assist the Farm club Project Coordinator (FCPC) in the delivery of the group sessions, following given tasks and using initiative to complete regular tasks needed each week such as preparing regular resources.
  • Following instructions from the FCPC to take small groups of children to feed animals and/or handle animals safely (training provided).
  • To support the FCPC to ensure that all children are present in the group, engaged and participating safely.
  • Following instructions from the FCPC to take small groups of children to carry out tasks e.g. harvesting seeds, collecting materials, tidying up.
  • Help individuals with crafting where needed while ensuring they are still challenged.
  • Make sure things are kept tidy, organised and well looked after.
  • To help with cooking/baking with children, instructions provided.
  • Make sure all tools, equipment and materials are put away and the site is left tidy after activities.
  • Make sure that children in your group know where the correct equipment and resources are to complete a task (such as animal feed, brushes, compost, tools, gloves etc) and are supervised appropriately.
  • If needed, demonstrate how to complete a job. E.g how to clean out the pig enclosure, how to plant seeds, etc. (volunteer will always be provided with guidance beforehand if unsure how to do this.)
  • Present a positive image of the farm to the public.
  • Work to a high standard of health and safety practices ensuring you wear the correct PPA equipment for all tasks.
  • Attend training as required.
  • Work within agreed policies and procedures, helping ensure high standards of practice on the farm.
  • To model to young people a positive attitude towards undertaking new challenges.
  • With support from the FCPC, to support young people to improve their social skills, for example resolving conflicts in a safe and calm way.
  • To contribute to an environment in which young people feel safe and able to share that which is troubling them and feel that it will be dealt with responsibly.

• Outdoor work:This role requires work outside in all seasons of the year. Ability to perform tasks of a physical nature, including lifting and kneeling; and to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions (heat, humidity, cold) is required.
• Work with animals:This role will involve some animal husbandry, for example handling of some animals, preparing food and bedding.

As a key volunteer you will be supervised by the Farm Club Project Coordinator and other key staff. You will be offered training in health and safety and any other topics appropriate to the role.
You must inform the farm if you are unable to attend prior to the session.

Training requirements

Safeguarding
Boundaries
Animal care
Health and Safety as relates to animal tasks