Job Description

Sydenham Garden, the unique wellbeing centre supporting people to improve their mental health in South East London, seeks a talented and passionate individual for the new role of Head of Services. The Head of Services will support and manage specialist project delivery staff working across the fields of therapeutic horticulture, activity-based dementia support, wildlife gardening and creative arts and have some role in delivery as part of this responsibility. Sydenham Garden also benefits from a large team of dedicated volunteers and supports hundreds of co-workers through the various project strands each year. The Head of Services will have a key responsibility in ensuring excellent communication with and support for volunteers and engagement of co-workers at all organisational levels.

We are looking for a highly organised, confident, collegiate and collaborative person with experience in service delivery and expertise in associated monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.  Experience of community-based organisations and mental health services is key for delivering this role as is knowledge of horticulture and creative activities in therapeutic settings.

The right person will be passionate about mental health, able to build strong, supportive relationships within the team and with our partner organisations and have a keen eye for detail.  They will have knowledge of current legislation and policy frameworks within the field of community mental health and social prescribing.  The new Head of Services will have a passion for quality in delivery and an interest in building effectiveness through consultation, monitoring and evaluation. They will be organised and effective, able to motivate and inspire others and able to develop and provide engaging training to staff and volunteers.  They will be happy to step in to support and provide cover for a variety of tasks as and when the need arises. 

Crucially, the successful candidate for this role will be creative and innovative in exploring ways to maintain and develop our programme delivery in a post Covid-19 lockdown landscape. 

We anticipate interviews will take place on Wednesday 17th June either remotely or in person.  More details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in early June.