Assistant Facilitator

Assistant Facilitator - Job Description 

Contract: Freelance
Time commitment: 4 - 12 hours per week during term time from April until the end of the Summer term (mid July) to support up to 3 projects depending on applicants availability. Wednesdays and/or Fridays. Scope for hours to increase to support more programmes with the right candidate.
Start date: April 2024 
About GROW

GROW harnesses the power of food and farming to transform local communities.

Our agroecological farm and outdoor learning hub at The Totteridge Academy in North London is at the heart of every one of our activities, providing a practical and inspiring resource for everyone who visits.

We are a working farm and we grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs, as well as keep bees and a small flock of chickens. We supply our partner school's busy canteen with fresh produce, and sell directly to the public and restaurants. We also welcome volunteers and visitors of all ages and backgrounds through our volunteering programme and community events.

‍In our programmes, we work predominantly with local children, young people and families who experience barriers to learning, healthy living, and employment.

We run early support programmes, AQA courses, holiday, after-school & weekend clubs, curriculum projects, school trips, and training programmes.

We believe that connecting with food and how it is grown has the power to change lives. We believe in food justice and the right to a sustainable way of life for all.

Through direct experience of the joys of the farm and nature, we offer our participants the skills, knowledge and confidence to make positive choices and changes in their lives and in the world around them. ‍ Through our partnership with TTA, we are creating a model for how schools & farms can work together to create resilient local food systems, enhance learning and well-being, reach meaningful sustainability goals, and strengthen community.

Context of the role

We are looking for one or more fantastic assistants to support us with the following programmes this Spring and Summer:

Edgware Primary School programme (4 hours. Day TBC) 
We are delivering a 10 week programme with Edgware Primary School this Spring and Summer as part of the Mayor of London's Schools Superzones Initiative. In Autumn of 2023, we delivered 4 taster workshops at the primary school and a new growing area of raised planters was created in partnership with MarknCristina Architects. We are pleased to be returning for a longer programme delivering up to 10 workshops with a group of 15 of their students, teaching them about the basics of food growing. Alongside these workshops, we will be supporting Edgware to integrate their new growing site into everyday school life. 

GROW Farm After School Club (4 hours. Wednesday afternoons) 
Our after school club, Let’s Get Growing, runs at the GROW Farm on a Wednesday, 3:30pm-5pm for free school meal recipients and children in the care system aged 9-13 from the local area. Children learn food growing skills and knowledge and enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature. 
Saracens High School After School Club (4 hours. Friday afternoons)
From mid March we will be running an after school club at Saracens High School as part of a wider project with the Grahame Park Community Garden. We will be delivering the after school club across the Spring and Summer term for up to 12 Y7 and Y8 students. Our work on the site is funded by the Mayor of London’s School Superzones, and we have exciting plans to develop the garden infrastructure and revitalise the growing activity. The students will develop food growing skills, learn about nutrition, ecology, biodiversity and more. This will take place within the Concourse but also within a designated space of raised beds within the school. Alongside the after school club, we will be developing events, workshops and activities for local youth clubs, parents, carers and community members. 

Duties and responsibilities 

• Assisting the delivery of one or more of the following projects: Edgware Primary programme, Let’s Get Growing after school club, and Saracens High School after school club.
• Assisting the Lead Facilitator with planning and administration of the programmes.
• Assisting with general maintenance of the educational growing areas at Edgware, Saracens and GROW Farm.
• Supporting the Lead Facilitator to transport materials and equipment to and from sessions.

Experience required

Necessary  

• Experience working with children and young people, particularly those who may experience barriers to the outdoors.

Desirable  

• Level 1 or Level 2 horticulture qualification or relevant degree / qualification
• Experience working in a school setting
• Experience assisting or leading educational sessions under the themes of sustainability, food growing, or nature 

Skills required

• Strong communication skills, particularly when communicating with young people
• Passion for sustainable food growing, the outdoors and sustainability. 
• Good IT skills and ability to utilise IT software to stay organised
• Good organisational skills
• Friendly and approachable
• Ability to work mindfully and reflectively and to learn from mistakes
• Good time-keeping and awareness of the importance of this when working with young people
• Patient and empathetic
• Pro-active and able to take initiative

We have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. Successful candidates will be asked to provide proof of identity and will be required 

HOW TO APPLY

Please fill in this application form HERE by Friday 15th March, noon. Interviews will be held w/c 18th March.

If you have any questions about the role, you can email laurel@wearegrow.org.