Purpose: To support the building and landscaping of The Commons, a community co-designed space within the Community Garden at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital
Terms: Freelance contract, 22 Oct – 19 Nov 2024 (dates to be agreed)
Fee: £185 per day inclusive of travel, expenses and VAT
Location: Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Grove Lane, Smethwick, B66 2QT
DEADLINE: 9am on Monday 7 October 2024
The Brief
Work as a Builder/Landscaper will focus on leading on the realisation of the designer and horticulturalist’s plans. This role will include the following:
- hands on building including making paths through made up ground; installing stumps, stepping stones, water features, poles and posts; platforms; signage; planters; benches
- collecting materials – a driver’s licence and van is useful, but not required for this role
- ensuring safe working practices.
You will be working with mostly reclaimed materials to build a variety of structures and create interactive features. Good carpentry skills AND/OR groundwork skills and the ability to work with a range of natural materials is essential. Certification through the Construction Skills Certification Scheme or similar is preferred.
Timetable
- Closing date for applications – 9am on Monday 7 October 2024
- Interview – Wednesday 9 October 2024
- Build runs on weekdays from 22 October – 19 November. We are happy to accept applications from people who are available for at least 10 days during this period.
Support ahead of applying
If you think this job looks great but you’re a bit cautious about putting yourself forward, please get in touch for an informal chat. We’re very happy to talk through the role, to find different ways of communicating this job description, and to explore how different kinds of experience could contribute to fulfilling this role well.
Equitable opportunities
Given our work’s active celebration of diversity and exploration of intersectionality, we want our team to reflect these values. We eagerly encourage applications from people who are from marginalised or minoritised backgrounds. Our welcome extends beyond the recruitment process; we are committed to creating a working space that is safe and caring for all.
If you need or would prefer this job description or the application form below in another format, please don’t hesitate to contact kate@wearespectra.co.uk to chat through how we can best open this opportunity to you.
Application process
An application form is available here https://forms.gle/nKxqzHeJMGJg2WWX8. This form asks for your contact details and answers to the questions below. If creating an audio file is more accessible for you, please answer all the questions on the form in no more than 5 minutes and send to the email above. Please do not send video, only audio. We also ask that you fill out an equal opportunities form here: https://forms.gle/GR2qquMg6deha3Pz5.
In order to minimise unconscious bias, we would usually anonymise all applications while shortlisting. Given the specific nature and short turnaround of this role, we will not be following this procedure and are open to pre-application conversations during which we can share further details of our design and budget. We will still aim to shortlist anyone who has met our minimum score and identifies as being from a minoritised or marginalised background. This is sometimes affected by capacity: we can shortlist no more than five applicants.
DEADLINE: 9am on Monday 7 October 2024
INTERVIEWS: on Zoom on Wednesday 9 October 2024. If you are shortlisted, we will send you the interview questions and information about the panel in advance. We will also ask if any adjustments are needed to make the interview accessible for you.
Please contact kate@wearespectra.co.uk with any questions or if we can help make this opportunity more accessible to you.
CONTEXT
Spectra
Spectra is a neurodiverse creative collective rooted in radical inclusion, people and place. We aim to lift the capacity to learning disabled people to influence change in their lives, their environment and their community. Using a wide range of art forms, we co-create interactive experiences with local communities through performance, installation and workshops.
Project Context
In Summer 2022, Spectra produced Abundance, a community co-designed garden playspace outside Birmingham Treatment Centre that delighted, provided respite for, and engaged thousands of staff and community members of all ages and backgrounds.
Building on the impact, learning and consultation carried out through that work, in the Summer of 2023, Spectra built Buzz Stop, a creative garden framing the front entrance of Sandwell General Hospital that enriched the biodiversity of the green-deprived site; connected people to nature, encouraging them to play their part in sustaining our natural world; and offered meaningful respite and access to green space for staff, patients, carers, visitors and the local community.
Following a wonderful period of co-design workshops, we are about to embark on building The Commons at the brand new Community Garden site at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.