Community Engagement& Volunteer Coordinator

Action Together; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job description

HCGC is a unique community-led urban garden, garden centre and café project, established over 25 years ago. Our mission is to bring communities together through gardening. We are a volunteer and education hub that promotes horticulture and sustainability across the education, community, business, and public health sectors. We are uniquely placed to help satisfy the increasing need to reach excluded, isolated and marginalised people, and to further develop our relationships with referring organisations (especially local Housing, GPs, and employability bodies) to improve provision and better meet the demand on our services.

The2026-29 Reaching Communities (lottery-funded) project aims to increase the quantity and quality of our volunteering and training programmes, to create a wider and richer range of opportunities and pursuits for people to engage with at HCGC, and to fulfil our improved environmental outcomes.

Overall Purpose of the Job

To work collaboratively with the HCGC team to ensure the successful delivery of the Reaching Communities (Lottery) project.

The postholder will aim to maximise the number, quality, and accessibility of volunteering opportunities, and increase levels of engagement across the community.

Key responsibilities include the recruitment, induction, training, and ongoing supervision of volunteers; effective liaison with the HCGC staff team, Board members, and external partner organisations; and proactive community outreach to promote participation and inclusion.

The role will also contribute to organisational development alongside senior staff, and will be responsible for regular monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on project progress and activities.

Main Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage the HCGC Volunteer Programme, working closely with senior staff to maximise the range, quality, and accessibility of volunteering opportunities. This includes ensuring consistently high standards of delivery, building a visible and welcoming volunteer culture, and using volunteering as a key route for community members to engage with the Centre, its facilities, and its wider offer.

Work collaboratively with the HCGC staff team, Board members, and external organisations to shape and develop volunteering roles that respond to community need and organisational priorities. This will include supporting volunteer recruitment, progression, and retention; contributing to project and service development; and identifying opportunities for partnership working, funding, and sustainable growth. The postholder will actively build relationships across the local community to raise awareness of HCGC as a place to volunteer, meet, and hire venue space for activities, events, and services.

Ensure all volunteer-related policies, procedures, and handbooks are current, compliant, and accessible, reflecting best practice and ensuring volunteers feel supported, informed, and confident in their roles.

Recruit, induct, supervise, and support volunteers across a wide range of Centre-based activities, ensuring a positive, inclusive experience that maximises both volunteer contribution and personal development outcomes. This includes creating opportunities for volunteers to act as ambassadors for the Centre within the community and to confidently promote HCGC’s activities, offerings and venue hire spaces.

Work in partnership with senior staff and sessional workers to develop and strengthen the Volunteer Programme in line with HCGC’s strategic priorities and agreed projects, including projects that increase community use of the buildings, site, broaden participation, and support income generation.

Promote the Volunteer Programme and the wider work of HCGCthrough local media, community networks, events, meetings, and HCGC digital platforms. Represent the Centre as a visible advocate, building relationships and promoting volunteering, partnerships, funding opportunities, and the availability and benefits of hiring HCGC’s on-site spaces, encouraging community participation and use of the Centre.

Work with the HCGC Administration and sessional staff to maintain accurate volunteer attendance, activity, and monitoring records, and contribute to user feedback, evaluation, and satisfaction processes. Use insight gathered from volunteers and community engagement to inform service improvement and venue development.

Prepare and submit monthly reports to the Centre Manager detailing volunteer activity, engagement levels, costs, and outcomes, including qualitative feedback and evidence of community impact, partnership development, and increased engagement with Centre facilities.

Contribute to project development with the Centre Manager, including input into development strategy, annual planning, team meetings, and quarterly Board meetings as required, with a focus on strengthening community engagement, increasing use of the Centre, and supporting organisational sustainability.

Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as delegated by the Centre Manager. All staff are expected to take a hands‑on approach, including supporting events, assisting with projects, maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment, promoting Centre activities and facilities, and undertaking general administrative tasks as required.

Undertake relevant training and professional development to support the ongoing development of the Volunteer Programme, community engagement practice, and effective promotion of HCGC and its facilities.

Person Specification

• Direct line management/supervisory experience
• Experience of recruiting, inducting, and supervising volunteers, including people with SEND, mental health needs, physical health conditions, and other complex support needs.
• Proven ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages, and abilities, ensuring inclusive, accessible, and person-centred engagement.
• Proven record of developing and delivering projects
• Proven record of managing project budgets
• Excellent time and project management skills
• Ability to foster external relationships
• Excellent internal and external communication skills
• Ability to make constructive contributions at meetings
• Expertise in modern IT packages including packages that can be used for communication, attendance monitoring and survey distribution (e.g. Instagram, WhatsApp, Slack, SurveyMonkey)
• Production of publicity and/ social media material
• Confident and proactive personality

Desirable (not essential)

• Experience in service, arts, public, voluntary or nature conservation sectors
• Knowledge and experience of environmental issues, with a keen interest and awareness of best horticultural practice
• Applied skills in project management
• Experience of attending external meetings and forums; public speaking; copywriting
• Knowledge of the environmental and sustainability landscape in Manchester and a wide contact base within the city.

Key information

• Employer: Hulme Community Garden Centre
• Locations: Manchester
• Role Type: Fixed term
• Working Hours: Full-Time

To apply for this role:

Please email your CV along with a tailored covering letter that clearly demonstrates your understanding of the role and its responsibilities, and explains how your skills, experience, and attributes meet the requirements outlined in the person specification to [e-mail]

More about this role

• Closing Date: Friday 27th February 2026 at 12:00pm
• Anticipated Interviews Week Commencing: Monday, March 16, 2026 - 12:00
• Anticipated Interview Date: Monday, March 16, 2026 - 12:00
• Employee Benefits: Company pensionEmployee discountCycle to work scheme
• Working Pattern Details: The role requires flexibility in working hours to meet operational needs.
• Would You Consider A Job Share For The Role?: Yes