We are recruiting a Farm Activity Facilitator
Location: Oxford City Farm
Hours: 7.5 hours/0.2 FTE. Role required to work Thursdays 9:30–5:30pm
Salary: £25,662 per annum pro-rata depending on experience
Fixed term contract: 12 months (possibility for extension)
Annual leave: 33 days per year including bank holidays (pro-rata)
Responsible to: Farm Lead
Works closely with: Volunteer and Referrals Coordinator, Kitchen Development Manager and Community Growers
The Role
We are seeking a warm, experienced and energetic individual to design and lead weekly supported afternoon sessions for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. This small group offers participants the chance to take part in seasonal, purposeful field to fork activities such as gardening, crafts, and animal care. You’ll foster a calm, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can grow in confidence, feel connected to nature, and enjoy a meaningful routine. You will actively engage in reflective practice and contribute to ongoing session development.
In addition, the role will support the group to participate in a facilitated cooking session (led by our Kitchen Lead) to develop basic skills and a shared lunch to support the social aspect of the day, reinforcing positive social routines, creating connections to farm life and to our local community.
More generally, you will be responsible for preparing and maintaining clean, safe and accessible activity spaces, and following health & safety, safeguarding, and farm operating procedures at all times. You’ll work collaboratively with other team members and volunteers, attend regular monthly team meetings as available, and demonstrate commitment to the farm mission and values.
Additional sessional cover work may be available across the farm’s other supported sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, including wellbeing gardening groups, parent-and-child activities, and SEN school visits. This offers a broader and more varied role for the right candidate.
Primary Purpose
To deliver supported community farming sessions, promoting the growing and use of seasonal produce alongside social and cooking sessions, to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Additional cover work for other supported sessions may also be available providing breadth and variety to the role.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the Afternoon Supported Session:
Design and deliver inclusive outdoor activities (e.g. sowing, watering, harvesting, simple crafts, animal care)
Create a safe, welcoming and calm space for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism
Adapt activities to suit different access needs, interests, and energy levels
Work collaboratively with volunteers to ensure meaningful and supported participation
Monitor and record attendance and feedback, supporting basic evaluation
Support Integration with Morning Cooking Activities:
Join the group for a shared lunch prepared by morning participants
Help reinforce positive social routines and create a sense of continuity
Be aware of wider cooking-based goals and how they connect to farm life
Host Occasional Summer Care Home Visits:
Facilitate gentle, inclusive tea and cake sessions with light nature-based activitiesEnsure care home guests are welcomed and supported to participate at their own pace
General Responsibilities:
Prepare and maintain clean, safe and accessible activity spaces
Follow health & safety, safeguarding, and farm operating procedures at all times
Communicate clearly and collaboratively with other team members and volunteers
Participate in reflective practice and contribute to ongoing session development
Provide additional sessional support across the farm’s other supported sessions if available
Attend monthly team meeting on Wednesdays morning if available
Person Specification
Essential:
Solid experience working with adults with learning disabilities, autism or additional needs
Experience of and competent in leading small group sessions and adapting activities to individual needs
Confident working independently and collaboratively
Strong communication, time management and organisational skills
Ability to work quickly, efficiently and accurately
Enthusiasm for inclusive outdoor activities and community connection
Warm, person-centred, and patient approach
Knowledgeable about, and committed to safeguarding, equality and inclusive working practices
Alignment with the Farm’s values and behaviours:
A commitment to equal opportunities
An empathy with volunteers and an understanding of their needs
A commitment to continuous professional development
An understanding of, and enthusiasm for, Oxford City Farm’s mission
Desirable:
Experience in session planning, monitoring and evaluation
Experience with gardening, crafts, animal care, or nature-based wellbeing
Familiarity with intergenerational or community sessions
First Aid, Food Hygiene or Safeguarding training (can be provided)
Ability to take on occasional additional hours for sessional cover work
Additional information on our supported farming sessions
Our supported farming sessions have played an important role in ensuring that the farm is open to all. The supported farming sessions run with smaller groups or targeted at a specific user group to make engaging with the farm more accessible. We run:
A free self-referral group on Wednesdays (Wellbeing Wednesdays)
A free social prescription group for residents principally from Rose Hill, Littlemore and Donnington (Wellies and Bellies)
A free parent and toddler group (Little Wellies - term time).
Several paid regular school groups (currently working with SEN school and two primary school - Mondays and Thursdays)
A hosted programme for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
We aim to build relationships with the group participants and provide hands-on experiences of growing food and connecting with nature in a warm and welcoming environment.
What We Offer
A meaningful role in a welcoming and green environment in the heart of Oxford
Internal training in community farming, inclusion, and nature-based practice
External training (where available) in first aid, safeguarding, food hygiene and more
5% employer pension contribution
Pro rata annual leave of 25–33 days (depending on salary structure)
Oxford City Farm is proud to be an Oxford Living Wage employer
About Oxford City Farm
Oxford City Farm is a 2.3 acre working farm and registered charity in East Oxford. The Farm provides opportunities for children and adults to interact with farm animals in nature, growing seasonal produce and practising bushcrafts. We connect participants with food production, horticulture and natural resources through practical workshops and educational sessions, volunteering opportunities, and the provision of a community growing space. The Farm runs activities for the community groups including schools throughout the week and we are looking to grow general public access.
About the Farm’s additional supported farming sessions
Our supported farming sessions play an important role in ensuring that the farm is open to all. The supported farming sessions run with smaller groups or targeted at a specific user group to make engaging with the farm more accessible. We run:
A free self-referral group on Wednesdays (Wellbeing Wednesdays)
A free social prescription group for local residents (Wellies and Bellies)
A free parent and toddler group (Little Wellies - term time).
Several paid regular school groups (currently working with SEN and primary schools - Mondays and Thursdays)
Interested?
If so, we would love to receive an application from you. Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining how your experience matches what we need to admin@oxfordcityfarm.org.uk by midday on Tuesday, 26th August 2025. Please note, in applying for the role you accept we will retain your personal details on our records in line with data protection legislation.
