Staff Vacancies

The Avon Centre currently has the following staff vacancies:

Forest School Development Officer

 

The Avon Centre is proud to have partnered with the Ovo Foundation to create the exciting new role of Forest School Development officer.

We are fortunate at the Centre to host an ancient woodland amongst our 100 acre premises, an ideal setting for our existing forest school facility.

The Role

We are looking for a Forest School Development Officer to join our friendly team and take the lead on this new project. The role will include building relationships with schools and youth organisations, planning and delivering Forest School Sessions and any associated admin relating to this, including reporting and monitoring.

The role is initially a 1 year fixed term contract, but it would be our hope that by the end of the year it would be self-sustaining, with the possibility to extend to permanent.

The Candidate

Whilst a Level 3 Forest School Qualification is preferred, training can be provided to a candidate with 2 years’ experience working with children and young people in an educational setting. Experience working outdoors, be it in an educational setting or with a Scout/Guides group or gardening club would be beneficial.

The candidate will have good organisational skills and the ability to keep excellent records. A confident verbal

communicator with the ability to build relationships with education providers, colleagues and volunteers.

Job Description

• Build relationships with education providers and youth organisations to build the forest school project

• Create and promote marketing materials for the project

• Plan, prepare and lead forest school sessions, supported by volunteers

• Complete appropriate risk assessments for all activities prior to running

• Monitor outcomes and complete any required reporting documentation

• Develop and maintain the forest school area, ensuring equipment is secured and safety checked

• Manage the advertising, booking and income for sessions, ensuring they are fully utilised and financially viable.

​

​​For the first year (which is being funded by the Ovo Foundation) we envision it being 20 hours a week across 4 or 5 days. There would be a lot of networking with local schools and groups to share the benefits of forest school and encourage sign ups. We would also be looking to run holiday activities during school holidays.

 

The funding we have is to set up the facility and the programme, so this is a really good opportunity for someone to put their stamp on the programme and make it their own. It would be our hope that at the end of the year the facility would be financially self-sustaining and the role could continue.

​

For more information or to arrange a site visit, please email info@theavoncentre.org.uk 

​

You can apply for this role via Indeed.

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

Apprentice Groom

Following the success of one of our recent Level 3 Equine Apprentices, the Avon Centre is excited to be able able to offer a new apprenticeship opportunity to the right candidate.​

The right candidate will have plenty of previous hands on experience in equine care and management. They will be confident carrying out a variety of yard tasks independently. We are looking for someone who can confidently ride a variety of horses to a good standard. Good interpersonal skills, and ability to work well in a team are also very important. 

To be a good fit for the team we need someone who is friendly, a good communicator, self motivated and dedicated.

In exchange for your hard work and commitment, you will receive excellent training from our experienced yard team and BHS accredited coaches in our state of the art facilities. You will also be helping support a charity which helps Disabled and disadvantaged people to access the therapeutic benefits of horses and nature.

 

The Avon Centre is working towards being a Disability Confident Employer and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Disabled. We are also a member of the Safe Space Alliance, and welcome all applicants who identify as belonging to any minoritised group.

 

Please see the full job description below: 

​

Apprentice Groom Job Description

Care and Preparation of Horses

• Maintain a high standard of care, grooming and turnout for our yard of horses.

• Ensure horses are tacked up for the start of each lesson.

• Ensure horses are checked after each riding lesson and that tack is properly stored for future use.

• Report any issues relating to health concerns of the horses to the Stable Manager, Yard Supervisor or a Senior Groom.

• Ensure each horse is fed according to the feeding plan.

• Ensure horses have constant access to forage.

• Ensure each horse is free from pain and discomfort and report any signs to the Stable Manager

• When necessary, exercise the horses both ridden and in hand, under guidance and supervision.

 

Yard Tasks

• Ensure the tack room is kept tidy and free from any hazards.

• Ensure all tack is thoroughly checked for safety and general wear and tear and report any damage immediately to the Stable Manager

• Ensure the stable environment is maintained to a tidy, clean standard. Ensure that horses’ stables are mucked out to a good standard.

• Prioritise yard tasks accordingly, and follow instructions given to ensure the smooth running of daily activities.

 

General Responsibilities

• Attend the Centre on time for all allocated rota days.

• Notify the Stable Manager or another member of the management team of any area of concern; any risk to clients, including safeguarding concerns, risks to staff or horses, or any complaints

• Follow all Centre policies and procedures correctly at all times.

• Support with running extracurricular holiday activities such as Pony Days and In-House competitions.

• Liaise with volunteers and RDA coaches when appropriate

• Keep on top of set apprenticeship tasks and ask for support from yard team as required

 

 Health & Safety, Safeguarding & Risk Management Duties

• Comply with the Centre’s Health and Safety policies and guidelines.

• Undertake all work whilst having regard to your own safety and the safety of others, wearing appropriate safety apparel and equipment as necessary.

• Monitor and inspect all equipment relevant to your role, tack, etc. reporting repairs as required.

• Report accidents/incidents promptly and accurately in accordance with procedures.

• Report any concerns, esp. regarding the safety of a child or vulnerable adult to the Safeguarding Officer immediately.

• Monitor and restrict access to stables to authorised persons only, ensuring authorised visitors are accompanied.
   

Training

• Undertake training: provided in-house and otherwise suggested by an outside facilitator to better inform practise, policies implementation and progression. 

• Engage with syllabus set by your Apprenticeship Equine Trainer Coach, and endeavour to complete all tasks to the best of your ability.

 

Relationships and Contacts

Line Manager:        

Stable Manager

Other Contacts:      

TAC Employees

Trustees

Volunteers

RDA Instructors

EFL Coaches

Freelance Instructors

Disabled and Non-Disabled Riders

General public

Suppliers and Contractors

​

If you have any questions about the role please email Cat@theavoncentre.org.uk 

​

If you would like to apply please do so via Indeed.

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteer Vacancies

In addition to our regular volunteering roles, we have the following specialist roles available:

​RDA Trainee Coach

New Year, new challenge? Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives?

 

Avon RDA Group, based on the outskirts of Bristol (BS10), is looking for volunteers to train as RDA Coaches to join our expanding team. Successful candidates will deliver engaging and effective therapeutic riding sessions for participants of all ages and abilities in a safe and supportive environment. As an RDA Coach, you will play a crucial role in providing therapy, physical activity, skills development and fun for our riders. Coaching experience is not necessary, but some horse care and riding knowledge would be helpful. Training will be provided. You will work alongside an experienced coach and a number of arena volunteers who assist with delivering sessions.

 

RDA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all participants; all candidates will be subject to an enhanced disclosure check.

 

Working with the RDA is incredibly rewarding; you will see positive changes in your riders, their skills and engagement levels. Most sessions take place daytime, Tuesday – Friday, term times only. There are also opportunities to support and attend annual regional and national competitions to assist your riders achieve their goals at international venues. 

 

Initially set up in 1980 and approved as an RDA Group in 1984, the Avon Centre is now an equine and nature based charity. Set within 100 acres of grassland and woodland, we have a range of horses and ponies. Our facilities include a large indoor arena and an outdoor arena, a mechanical horse simulator, plus paths and tracks around our land.

 

If this sounds interesting, why not come in for a visit and a chat with Kim, our RDA Coordinator? You can contact her by email RDAKim@theavoncentre.org.uk , or call her on 0117 9590266.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustees

The Avon Centre is a riding, therapeutic and outdoor-learning centre based in a wonderful woodland setting by Blaise Castle. We are already recognised for our high standards in our work with Disabled people, including physically, sensory and learning Disabled people, and we are branching out into supporting people facing other forms of disadvantages.

The people who use our facilities gain so much in terms of physical and mental-health, confidence and new friendships.

By joining our Board, you’ll be ensuring we can continue to make a real difference to the lives of the children, young people and adults who use our facilities.

We are looking to recruit up to 3 new trustees. You’ll have a commitment to our purpose and ethos, plus experience in one of the following areas;

•          HR

•          Land and buildings management

•          Funding and finance

The time commitment will vary but you’ll definitely get back everything you put in! The minimum commitment is attendance at 4 meetings per year, held in Bristol at the Centre.

We are particularly interested to hear from you if you have lived experience you’d be willing to share to help us make our services even more accessible.

It would be helpful if you already have trustee or other experience of the voluntary sector but not essential. Whether you are an experienced Trustee or wanting to take the first step at Board level, if you share our ethos, we'd like to hear from you.

All Trustees with The Avon Centre are required to complete a DBS

(and other) checks prior to their appointment. A copy of our Safe &

 Fair Recruitment Policy can be found on the website.

To find out more, read "The Role of a Trustee" email info@theavoncentre.org.uk

​

​