Gardening Maintenance Volunteer – Bushey Fields
Closing date: 28 July 2026
To support the Occupational Therapy team with developing and maintaining therapeutic garden spaces at Bushey Fields Mental Health Hospital.
This is a voluntary, unpaid role.
Disclaimer: This opportunity is subject to the successful completion of employment checks (DBS, ID, references, and e‑learning). The role is voluntary and unpaid, and you are free to leave at any time. Remaining in the role for a reasonable period will benefit you and the organisation. We encourage individuals with lived experience to apply, but recent service users of the same site are not accepted to maintain clear boundaries and support recovery.
Main duties of the job
Examples of how you can help us:
- Use horticulture/gardening knowledge and expertise to grow and maintain the gardens and green spaces at Bushey Fields.
- Carry out practical gardening tasks such as planting, pruning, weeding, path maintenance, and general allotment‑style upkeep.
- Work independently, take initiative, and bring fresh ideas to enhance the garden in ways that support patient recovery.
- Offer a few hours of support each week, between Monday and Thursday.
- Desirable: Support the Thursday afternoon “Nature Space” gardening group with patients and contribute ideas for meaningful outdoor activities.
- Must be able to travel to Bushey Fields Hospital (travel expenses can be reimbursed).
About us
Black Country Healthcare is a major provider of NHS mental health services for more than a million people across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Adult and older adult mental health servicesChildren and young people mental health servicesCommunity healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley
We are proud to be rated Good by the Care Quality Commission, and many of our staff have won awards for their work.
Job responsibilities
We are looking for volunteers who have these qualities:
- Demonstrates good horticultural or gardening skills, whether gained through paid work or personal projects.
- Some awareness of mental health issues.
- Confident in sharing skills and supporting individuals with varying abilities, offering guidance in a patient and inclusive manner.
- Demonstrates good communication skills and is friendly and welcoming, able to engage comfortably with patients and staff.
- Ability to follow confidentiality policy and professional boundaries to keep themselves and patients safe.
- Ability to use digital technology for e‑learning training (we can support you with this).
- Reliability – desirable that volunteers can support regularly to provide stability to the team and patients.
- Live in the Black Country, within a reasonable travel distance to the site.
- Volunteers must be over 18.
Our Trust Values
CaringWe care for everyone as individuals, being compassionate, empathetic and kind with a willingness to help.
EnablingWe enable ourselves and others to act with confidence and authority in order to achieve the best outcome for everyone.
Working TogetherWe work together in partnership, being inclusive by understanding and valuing others to achieve the best results for everyone in everything we do.
IntegrityWe act with transparency and honesty; respecting and valuing others to do the right thing at the right time for everyone.
We are committed to building a workforce and culture that reflects our varied population and to creating a culture of belonging. We always engage and involve when making key decisions, regardless of role or level.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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