Work at The School of Artisan Food

The School of Artisan Food is dedicated to inspiring and helping people from all walks of life to learn about healthy, sustainable and delicious food. We offer a wide range of hands-on courses taught by world-class tutors, in a unique environment within the grounds of the beautiful Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire. 

The estate surrounding Welbeck Abbey is steeped in history. Its striking expanse of parkland heads across the park to the offices and the estate houses some very impressive buildings.

We are part of  the Welbeck Community and we work alongside consultancies and technology companies, creative and artisan businesses, food producers, publishers, designers and artists.

The unique location offers all the benefits of easy access to the larger cities and towns of Sheffield, Chesterfield and Nottingham and is only a 15-minute drive to both the M1 and the A1.

If you would like to join The School of Artisan Food team, working within an inspiring environment, please follow the links to apply for a vacancy, which can be found in the job descriptions below.

Volunteer Veg Gardener

When and Time Commitment: Flexible depending on the volunteer’s availability, but ideally, one to two days per week.

Commitment Length: Ongoing

Primary Contact: Project Director of Best Food Forward

Overview of the role

We are looking for someone to help maintain our kitchen garden. We use the garden for learning opportunities with our students and like to include fresh veggies in our lunchtime meals. We currently use a ‘no-dig’ method, but we can show you if you don’t know what this is! If you want to build your knowledge of sustainable horticultural practices, we can support you with that.

Key tasks

  • Keep the garden beds in good condition for planting.
  • Plant, weed, water, and maintain our veggie crops.
  • Help with the composting, which supports our small worm farm.
  • Pick and harvest (hopefully) our crops ready to be used in our lessons and lunches!
  • Keep an eye on our garden equipment and tools, making sure they are in good working
  • order.
  • Keep track of what’s been planted, and when it needs to be harvested.
  • Follow all School of Artisan Food policies and procedures.
  • Report any health & safety or safeguarding concerns to the appropriate person.
  • (Desirable) Share the fantastic work you are doing by communicating with our other kitchen garden supporters.

About you

  • Passion for the outdoors.
  • An eagerness to learn about the No-Dig Method of gardening.
  • Ability to work independently alongside SAF policies and procedures.
  • Great communication skills and the ability to work alongside other volunteers.

Requirements

  • A character reference (from someone not in your immediate family).

Benefits of volunteering

  • Delicious and nutritious lunch when students are in residence, for free! Tea and coffee are also available throughout the day.
  • Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on promoting sustainable gardening practices.
  • Opportunity to work in a beautiful garden and contribute to a positive community
  • atmosphere.
  • Opportunity to develop gardening skills and we can support you to enrol in a Level 3
  • Horticulture course.
  • Regular support from our team.
  • Be part of an enthusiastic team of foodies.
  • There are always bread and croissants available – if you love a baked good or pastry!

Impact of your role

  • Creating an outdoor educational environment to support local schools and students where food comes from.
  • We try our hardest to use local produce in our courses. Your support will enable us to reach this goal.

Support

  • Regular 1:1 supervision.
  • You will have a primary contact throughout your time volunteering.

How to apply

For more information, please contact lauren.rathbone@schoolofartisanfood.org