Charity Jobs

Commitments: 24 days throughout the year
Location: Faversham, Kent
Start: Immediate
Salary: Unpaid, expenses considered.

Brogdale Collections in Kent was founded as a Charity in April 2008 to provide the public with access to and information about the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm. This is the most comprehensive and largest collection of temperate fruit varieties in the world.  It is unique amongst collections in that the trees are cultivated to bear fruit, rather than just be available to provide graft wood and research. 

The National Fruit Collection is funded by Defra as part of international programs for conserving genetic diversity for the future. It is curated by the University of Reading, and the day-to-day management is sub-contracted. Funding is only for the maintenance and research of the Collection on a scientific basis. Hence without Brogdale Collections, the Collection would be on a closed site with no public access or engagement.

We engage with the public through activities including Festivals and events, guided tours, education visits, courses, and fruit sales.

Our key areas of focus are education, horticulture, the environment, diet, and health.

We are now seeking to fill a vacancy, and looking to recruit a chair that demonstrates the following criteria:

• Expertise in providing strong leadership at a senior level, including chairing groups with diverse skills and experience to deliver consensus.
• Expertise in analysing and interpreting detailed information such as statistical and financial data and information on legal, fundraising, policy, and HR matters and drawing appropriate conclusions.
• Able to motivate and communicate effectively, to command the respect of others, to challenge and engage courteously particularly those of opposing views, facilitating agreement across a wide range of perspectives and attitudes.
• A background in horticulture, visitor attractions, or heritage sites advantageous

Appointment

This position will provide an influential and intellectually stimulating challenge for the right individual, who will contribute to the future of Brogdale Collections. As Chair of a small but committed board of trustees, you will bring your expertise, alongside a high degree of analytical ability, strong communication skills, and, ideally, an appreciation of our key values.

The time commitment for this position is approximately 24 days per year, for which there is no remuneration however expenses for traveling will be considered.

Anyone interested in applying should contact Tony Hillier, Vice Chair, via email – tonyhillier815@gmail.com

Hours required: Flexible hours from April to October

Location: Faversham, Kent
Start: April 2023
Salary: NMW per hour

Brogdale Collections
Brogdale Collections is a Charity that supports the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm. We provide daily visits, group tours, events, education visits, and horticultural courses. Other fundraising efforts include the hiring of meeting rooms, team-building days, and parties. The Charity offers the opportunity to contribute to education in fruit and farming, sustainably, and climate change. Brogdale is set on 160 acres of Kentish Orchards and provides an inspirational and pleasant working environment. This is an ideal opportunity for the fruit industry, horticulturalists, or farming individuals to support a specialist visitor attraction.

Job Description
The role will include a variety of tasks including;

• Daily guided walks of the fruit collections
• Dealing with customer fruit inquiries and offering advise
• Delivering talks on fruit to local clubs and societies
• Leading private group tours for international industry associations
• Supporting our season of festivals & events

Skills Required
This individual should have a good knowledge and understanding of fruit growing.  Enthusiasm to deliver a varied and interesting tour of the collections. Customer service experience or languages would be an advantage. Training will be provided in the role.

Personal Qualities
A confident, professional attitude and a well-presented individual. Reliability and good timekeeping are essential.

Qualifications Required
GCSE’s in Maths and English at Grade C or above

Other considerations
Weekend work is essential and some physical work will be required inside and outside. Interested candidates should consider our location and their travel arrangements to and from work in advance of making an application.

Please email CVs to Sara Smile, Operations Manager operations@brogdalecollections.org

Hours required: Weekends and Bank holidays

Location: Faversham, Kent

Start: Immediate

Salary: NMW per hour  

Brogdale Collections

Brogdale Collections is a charity working to provide public access and education at the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale Farm. Brogdale Collections has managed visitor access to the NFC in partnership with the University of Reading, since the start of their curation in 2008. The Charity offers a range of opportunities for the public to use the fruit collections as an educational resource including Daily Guided Tours (April – November), Fruit Events, Festival days, and Key Stage 1 & 2 Education Days.

Job Description

The Seasonal Event Staff role will include a variety of tasks including;

• Serving customers and issuing tickets in the Tour Shop
• Dealing with customer inquiries
• Cash handling
• Administering bookings for group visits, rural courses, and meeting rooms
• Processing online orders
• Dealing with telephone and email inquiries

In addition, duties would include:

• Stewarding at Festivals
• Preparation and service of refreshments
• Helping to set up for events(therefore some physical work would be required)

Skills Required

This individual should be competent in Microsoft Word and Excel, have good people skills, a good telephone manner, literacy skills and the desire to learn and progress. Customer service experience would be an advantage.

Personal Qualities

A confident, professional attitude and a well-presented individual. Reliability and good timekeeping are essential.

Qualifications Required

GCSE’s in Maths and English at Grade C or above

Other considerations

Weekend work is essential and some physical work will be required inside and outside. Interested candidates should consider our location and their travel arrangements to and from work in advance of making an application.

Please complete an application form and return it to; office@brogdalecollections.org

You can download an application form by clicking here.