Background:

Root Connections community market garden was started Aug 2018 on a working farm next to Mendips rough sleeping hostel. The hostel was started as a partnership between Elim Connect Centre, the Addicotts (The host farmers) and Mendip District Council. Root Connections aim is to support the work of ending rough sleeping in Mendip through improving the health and wellbeing for all around meaningful activity and especially those who have experienced homelessness and rough sleeping by giving back hope and confidence by getting your hands dirty! We bring the local volunteering community together to cultivate relationships to produce local, organically grown veg and flowers.

The combined areas of the garden totals just under 2 acres, with raised beds & 3 polytunnels - this provides produce for the following;

Restaurants & wholefood store in our local area
Veg Box & Flower Subscription Scheme
Onsite pop-up farm shop
Monthly Farmers Markets
Cut Flowers to a local farm shop

Job Overview:

Thanks to funding from The Somerset Community Foundation’s Partnership Fund we’re looking to recruit an Events Co-ordinator, part time (2.5 days a week) for a year - fixed term from Oct 2022 – Sept 2023.

We plan to have phase one of our new Community Hub building completed by Sept’ 2022, which ties in nicely with the start date of beginning of October for the new post. This is an exciting employment opportunity for the right candidate who has a heart for increasing our social impact in our local community & strengthening the financial resilience of the project going forwards. If you love working with people, have a sound knowledge of digital marketing, processes & customer care this is the role for you!

Objectives & Key Responsibilities:

To create a full calendar of events throughout the year by working with the team at Root Connections to create, plan & deliver wellbeing & educational programs, courses, workshops across the Community Hub building & outdoor shelter & identify opportunities to sub-let when building is not being used by Roots – optimising income streams for the project.

Work with Manager & Head Gardener to develop & prepare the Community Hub & Outdoor Shelter in order to create a welcoming space in which to host workshops & events.
With the team – plan an annual programme of events
Identify Teachers, Facilitators to run the workshops & source resources/materials
Identify audience, Market the events, create an online booking system (Eventbrite), manage payments, bookings & customer care/communication.
Ensure the building, to incl. toilets & outside space is clean, tidy & set up with resources ahead of each session (heating to be considered in the winter).
Be a good host; Welcome, run through ‘Housekeeping’, explain a little about the project & hand over to workshop facilitator/Teacher. At the end of the session ensure all attendees are off site safely & clear down – ensuring area inside & out is clean, tidy & replenished ready for the next session.
Working collaboratively with Manager to secure & work with contract funders (SS&L/HCRG Care Group etc.) to deliver funded educational & wellbeing programs throughout the year.
Ensure all forms are completed, paperwork submitted & evaluation/monitoring evidenced & gathered
Supporting Manager with evaluation & impact reports on a monthly basis
Link with other team members to gather material, photographs & stories for quarterly newsletter, with permissions/GDPR taken in to account.
Working with the team to ensure Risk Assessments & Health & Safety policies are created & adhered to.
Work with external groups/individuals looking to hire the space & the Community Hub to generate additional income by sub letting the space on an hourly basis - optimising bookings throughout the year
Work with other staff members throughout phase 2 of the build of the Community Hub – looking to support in the development & future growth/expansion of the wider project.