Growing Together Levenshulme is a volunteer-led gardening project aimed at providing a therapeutic environment for asylum seekers, refugees and others in a similar situation. It provides a place to learn about growing food, engage with nature, socialise, and both give and receive support. The project attracts many regular participants.

Purpose: To provide informal support to participants during the sessions, and to facilitate
the smooth running of the non-gardening aspects of these sessions. Also, as a member of the wider ‘caretakers’ team, to contribute to the general running of the project.

Location: Levenshulme Allotments, Highfield Road, Levenshulme M19 3JX
Hours: Our sessions currently run on:
Tuesdays 09:30 – 12:30 and 12:30 - 15:00
Fridays 09:00 – 12:00

We expect volunteers to commit to at least one session per week. Total time commitment: 3.5 hours per week

Roles and Responsibilities:
● Welcoming new participants and completing registration forms
● Being available during sessions for participants to discuss and address any
issues/challenges they are facing
● Supporting participants to read, understand and respond to any correspondence
● Signposting and/or referral on to specialist agencies as required
● Fostering a positive culture of support and community
● Raising any safeguarding or support concerns with the wider People Support Team.
● Ensuring the session runs smoothly and safely
● Supporting with conflict management and resolution
● Recording and distributing travel expenses to participants
● Monitoring the project phone
● Attending monthly team meetings (currently on Zoom).
● Attending training sessions as needed.

Skills
● Experience of supporting others, whether as a support worker or volunteer, or for
friends and family
● Works well with people from a variety of backgrounds
● Good people skills and an ability to listen to and support people who are under
considerable stress
● Emotional resilience
● Organised, a strong work ethic and sense of humour
● Flexible and able to work in a changing environment
● Commitment to working in an empowering way
● Enjoys being outdoors (in all weathers!)
● Willing to learn and undertake relevant training as needed
● Able to commit to attending regularly on Tuesdays and/or Fridays, ideally for
minimum of 1 year

Desirable
● Lived experience of seeking asylum or experience of working with asylum
seekers/refugees
● Experience providing advice, advocacy, casework, or mental health support
● Understanding of the UK asylum system and asylum support, and knowledge of
relevant local services (willingness to develop knowledge in this area is essential)

Expenses
• We can reimburse reasonable volunteer travel expenses as needed.
Support

We have an induction process, training available and a friendly supportive team.
Team debriefs are held at the end of each session.