Farm Hands Volunteer: Mentor & Animal Care Helper

Volunteers are needed Tuesday 3.45pm-5.45pm and/or Saturday 1.45am-4.15pm.

Farm Hands sessions let young people aged explore all that our 37 acre site has to offer. Young people bring their skills to the Farm, working with animals and the public. We provide a safe, accepting, non judgemental environment free from screens and stress. We have found the group to build self esteem, teamwork and to improve mental health of the participants. Run by experienced staff, we work with young people with a wide variety of interests and needs and as such, quality Key Volunteers can have a really positive impact on the group.

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.

Role description: To Assist the Farm Hands 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.

• Assist the Farm Hands Project Coordinator (FHPC) 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.
• Follow instructions from the FHPC to take small groups of volunteers to feed animals and/or clean animal enclosures (training provided).
• Follow instructions from the FHPC to take small groups of volunteers to carry out tasks e.g. harvesting seeds, collecting materials, tidying up.
• Help individuals with crafting where needed while ensuring they are still challenged.
• Keep the site tidy, organised and well looked after.
• Help with cooking meals for young people.
• Make sure all tools, equipment and materials are put away and the site is left tidy after activities.
• Ensure volunteers in your group know where the correct equipment and resources are to complete a job (such as animal feed, brushes, compost, tools, gloves etc).
• 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 PPE equipment for all tasks.
• Attend training as required.
• Work within agreed policies and procedures, helping ensure high standards of practice on the farm.
• Model to young people a positive attitude towards undertaking new challenges.
• With support from the FHPC, support young people to improve their social skills, for example resolving conflicts in a safe and calm way.
• 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 Hands 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 and must have an up to date DBS check.

Hours: Tuesday 3.45 - 5.45

Training requirements

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