Charity Jobs
Charity Jobs
Charity Chair
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
Fruit Collection Tour Guide
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
Education Learning Assistant
Overall Purpose
To support the provision of KS1 & 2 education visits to Brogdale in line with the charity’s key objectives to promote the National Fruit Collection.
Reporting line
Reporting to Operations Manager
Overview
Become an education learning assistant at Brogdale Collections orchard and share your love and enthusiasm for nature and the outdoors with our visiting schools.
Key Areas of Responsibility
- Connecting school children with the National Collection of fruit, and the natural world, through our curriculum-linked education programs
- Support in the development and delivery of School Visit Days at Brogdale by leading outdoor hands-on experiences and tours of the orchard
- Maintain teaching equipment, outdoor and indoor learning spaces, resources, and materials
- Preparation of resources and equipment for school visits and events
Other Duties
- Working as part of the team, dealing with general office and shop inquiries
- Support with care and maintenance of the Wildlife Garden, Weather Station & Music Garden
- Contribute to general duties when required during busy periods such as at festivals, events, and harvest season.
Skills
- Ability to work with and engage a wide variety of ages and abilities of children
- Confidence to lead talks and activities
- Capability to carry out physical and practical tasks, including moving and setting up equipment
- Happy to work outside in all weathers
- Flexible and adaptive approach
- Eagerness to learn!
Desirable Skills
- Familiarity with the National Curriculum, especially science
- Keen interest in nature and outdoor learning
Interpretation Skills
This post requires effective communication with both children and adults, with the confidence to manage large groups of children aged 5 and upwards. The post holder will be required to maintain the high standard of customer feedback already achieved.
Experience & Qualifications
Experience leading and working with children in an education setting and educated to NVQ Level 2 or above.
It would be an advantage to have a teaching qualification although this is not a prerequisite.
The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check before the post is formally offered.
Hours of Duty
April to the end of October.
Part-time, flexible Monday to Friday, dependent on school bookings.
Minimum 1 day per week.
Possibility to work extra hours during weekend events.
Please email CVs to Sara Smile, Operations Manager operations@brogdalecollections.org
Weekend Farm & Event Staff
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
Tractor Driver
Hours required: Weekdays, Weekends, and Bank holidays
Location: Faversham, Kent
Start: May 2023
Salary: Up to £10.50 per hour
Part-time hours: 6 per week
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.
Our key areas of focus are education, horticulture, the environment, diet, and health.
Job description
During the summer months, we provide tractor-trailer rides for our visitors and schools using our custom-made 30 people trailer.
The tractor driver is responsible for looking after the tractor & trailer
Hitching up the trailer safely
Helping our visitors load and disembark safely
Assisting with wheelchair access
Pulling the trailer around the farm for 1-2 hour tours of the National Fruit Collection
Benefits:
Flexitime
On-site parking
Please complete an application form and return it to; office@brogdalecollections.org
The National Fruit Collection is one of the largest fruit collections in the world and is located at Brogdale Farm, near Faversham, Kent.
© 2022 Brogdale Collections.