Professional Work Placement (PWP) in Wellbeing & Communities
| Posting date: | 24 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £23,810 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 March 2026 |
| Location: | M28 2LJ |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Royal Horticultural Society |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: |
Summary
About the Placement:
Are you enthusiastic about horticulture? Have you already completed (or are studying for) a Level 2 horticultural theory qualification and have at least 3 months practical experience? Are you interested in specialising and completing a Level 3 Award to further your career?
Our Professional Work Placement programme is a one-year paid work experience placement for horticulturists who wish to specialise. Applicants should have already completed (or be studying for) a Level 2 Horticultural theory qualification or apprenticeship standard and have 3 months (minimum) practical experience in the industry at application.
The placement provides the opportunity to spend a full year immersed in a particular garden department, studying a specific group of plants, garden practice or style whilst completing a Level 3 Award. You will gain knowledge, experience, skills and training in your specialism, in a work-based context, to prepare you for professional life in the industry.
Speciality focus The Wellbeing and Communities Professional Work Placement (PWP) candidate will be involved in all aspects of therapeutic and community gardening practiced at RHS Bridgewater.
Who will you be working with Both the Therapeutic and the Community Grow Gardeners in the Wellbeing and Community Grow Gardens respectively. In addition, the role will spend some time working with the Outreach Team working with communities and schools across Greater Manchester.
Which areas of the garden will you be working in
The focus of this role work alongside our Horticultural Therapist and Community Grow gardener, assisting in the planning of person-centred horticulture-based activities at Bridgewater, and work with the team and volunteers to deliver those sessions. Work with knowledgeable staff on the use of horticulture to improve personal wellbeing, support community cohesion, and develop skills and confidence.
The successful candidate will be given the opportunity to run their own group sessions providing them with valuable experience in planning, managing and developing groups.
Throughout this placement you will gain knowledge, experiences, skills and training in Therapeutic and Community Gardening in the work-based context to prepare you for professional life in this sector.
About the RHS Level 3 Award:
During the placement you will complete horticultural research culminating in a project write up and submission for the RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation which will be funded by the RHS.
Candidates completing the Level 3 qualification will be allocated a Project Supervisor who will support you and advise on the project write up. In order to achieve the qualification you will be required to attend several online sessions (either live or recordings) over a period of 9 months, submit a project write up and complete a professional discussion.
Safeguarding and Inclusion:
The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Benefits of Working for the RHS:
To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.
And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference.
Our careers portal provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.
You can also learn about the range of careers in horticulture by visiting https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/careers-horticulture https://www.horticulture.org.uk/grow-careers/ or https://www.lantra.co.uk/careers
Further Information:
To apply for any work-based training position with the RHS School of Horticulture you must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the placement, the RHS are unable to sponsor visa applications for these positions.
As part of the Professional Work Placement programme successful applicants will study for the new RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation qualification. To be eligible applicants must not hold or be studying for a Level 3 Diploma (or equivalent) in Horticulture or above.
We may review applications as soon as we receive them so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply as soon as possible as the vacancy can be closed as soon as we received sufficient applications.
Applications close 2nd April
Interviews to be held Week commencing 27th April.
For further information, or if you require any additional support with making your application please contact schoolofhorticulture@rhs.org.uk including details of the position you are applying for.
Are you enthusiastic about horticulture? Have you already completed (or are studying for) a Level 2 horticultural theory qualification and have at least 3 months practical experience? Are you interested in specialising and completing a Level 3 Award to further your career?
Our Professional Work Placement programme is a one-year paid work experience placement for horticulturists who wish to specialise. Applicants should have already completed (or be studying for) a Level 2 Horticultural theory qualification or apprenticeship standard and have 3 months (minimum) practical experience in the industry at application.
The placement provides the opportunity to spend a full year immersed in a particular garden department, studying a specific group of plants, garden practice or style whilst completing a Level 3 Award. You will gain knowledge, experience, skills and training in your specialism, in a work-based context, to prepare you for professional life in the industry.
Speciality focus The Wellbeing and Communities Professional Work Placement (PWP) candidate will be involved in all aspects of therapeutic and community gardening practiced at RHS Bridgewater.
Who will you be working with Both the Therapeutic and the Community Grow Gardeners in the Wellbeing and Community Grow Gardens respectively. In addition, the role will spend some time working with the Outreach Team working with communities and schools across Greater Manchester.
Which areas of the garden will you be working in
The focus of this role work alongside our Horticultural Therapist and Community Grow gardener, assisting in the planning of person-centred horticulture-based activities at Bridgewater, and work with the team and volunteers to deliver those sessions. Work with knowledgeable staff on the use of horticulture to improve personal wellbeing, support community cohesion, and develop skills and confidence.
The successful candidate will be given the opportunity to run their own group sessions providing them with valuable experience in planning, managing and developing groups.
Throughout this placement you will gain knowledge, experiences, skills and training in Therapeutic and Community Gardening in the work-based context to prepare you for professional life in this sector.
About the RHS Level 3 Award:
During the placement you will complete horticultural research culminating in a project write up and submission for the RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation which will be funded by the RHS.
Candidates completing the Level 3 qualification will be allocated a Project Supervisor who will support you and advise on the project write up. In order to achieve the qualification you will be required to attend several online sessions (either live or recordings) over a period of 9 months, submit a project write up and complete a professional discussion.
Safeguarding and Inclusion:
The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Benefits of Working for the RHS:
To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.
And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference.
Our careers portal provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.
You can also learn about the range of careers in horticulture by visiting https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/careers-horticulture https://www.horticulture.org.uk/grow-careers/ or https://www.lantra.co.uk/careers
Further Information:
To apply for any work-based training position with the RHS School of Horticulture you must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the placement, the RHS are unable to sponsor visa applications for these positions.
As part of the Professional Work Placement programme successful applicants will study for the new RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation qualification. To be eligible applicants must not hold or be studying for a Level 3 Diploma (or equivalent) in Horticulture or above.
We may review applications as soon as we receive them so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply as soon as possible as the vacancy can be closed as soon as we received sufficient applications.
Applications close 2nd April
Interviews to be held Week commencing 27th April.
For further information, or if you require any additional support with making your application please contact schoolofhorticulture@rhs.org.uk including details of the position you are applying for.