Founding Community Gardner

About Brighter Futures College

Brighter Futures College is a specialist post-18 college supporting young adults with learning disabilities to develop independence, employment skills and confidence through practical, real-world learning.

Our curriculum is 80% vocational and 20% classroom-based, enabling students to gain genuine work experience in community-facing enterprises.

We are now launching an exciting community garden in Thamesmead (SE28) where students will learn horticulture, sustainability, and food-growing skills.

Produce grown in the garden will be used in our student-run café and community pantry.

We are also developing a floristry learning pathway in collaboration with Claridge's, helping students gain exposure to professional industry standards.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a passionate and practical Community Gardener & Horticulture Tutor to help establish and run our new community garden.

This is a rare opportunity to build a garden programme from the ground up, working with students, staff, and the local community to create a vibrant learning environment.

The role will initially start part-time but is expected to grow into a full-time position as the programme develops.

Key Responsibilities

Garden Development

• Help design and establish the community garden
• Plan and manage seasonal planting schedules
• Grow a wide range of vegetables, herbs and fruits
• Introduce crops that reflect the cultural diversity of the local community
• Implement sustainable growing practices where possible

Student Learning

• Work alongside students with learning disabilities to teach practical horticulture skills
• Support students in learning:
• planting and propagation
• soil preparation
• composting
• harvesting
• crop care
• Adapt gardening activities so they are inclusive and engaging for all learners

Food Growing

• Grow produce for use in the college café and community pantry
• Support planning of crops that can be harvested regularly
• Help students understand food systems and sustainability

Community Engagement

• Support community activities within the garden including:
• gardening workshops
• forest school-style sessions
• senior citizens gardening days
• seasonal harvest events

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• An experienced gardener or horticulturalist
• Passionate about community growing and sustainable food
• Comfortable teaching or mentoring others
• Patient and enthusiastic when working with learners with additional needs
• Interested in helping build a new community garden from the ground up

Desirable experience:

• Community gardening or urban farming
• Teaching or mentoring experience
• Knowledge of growing culturally diverse crops
• Running workshops or community events

Why Join Us

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Build a new community garden programme from scratch
• Work directly with students gaining real employment skills
• Contribute to a sustainable food-growing project
• Help create a welcoming community space in Thamesmead
• Be part of a college focused on independence, opportunity and inclusion

Hours

Initially 1-3 days per week with flexibility depending on seasonal activities.

The role is expected to expand to full-time as the garden programme grows.

Location

• Thamesmead, South East London (SE28)