Wayward Plants is growing, and we are recruiting for two part-time Coordinator roles to support the next phase of the Wayward Plants Reuse Initiative and the opening of our first Reuse Centre at Cultivate Colindale.
These are two distinct but closely connected roles, both based at Cultivate Colindale and working as part of a small, collaborative team. Together, they support the practical delivery, public-facing activity and long-term development of Wayward Plants.
The roles
1. Reuse Coordinator (part-time)
This role focuses on the hands-on delivery of the reuse initiative. It supports the day-to-day running of the Reuse Centre, coordinates the redistribution of plants, trees and landscape materials, works closely with volunteers and community groups, and supports reuse operations at RHS shows. It is a practical, varied role combining outdoor work, systems development and relationship building.
2. Programmes and Communications Coordinator (part-time)
This role focuses on programming, storytelling and public engagement. It supports the delivery of events and exhibitions, documents the daily life of the Reuse Centre and wider network, manages digital communications, and helps shape how Wayward Plants shares its work, impact and stories with the public and partners.
Both roles work closely with Wayward Plants leadership, the Cultivate Colindale Head Gardener, volunteers, and partner organisations. They suit people who are motivated by reuse, access to nature, and working collaboratively in a hands-on, community-centred environment.
Applicants are welcome to apply for one role or both, but should clearly indicate which role they are applying for in their application.
Background
Wayward Plants, an initiative by the design practice Wayward, is a pioneering reuse and circular economy initiative that tackles two linked challenges: the growing volume of landscape waste in construction and horticulture, and the nature gap - the unequal access to green space experienced by underserved communities across London. We address both through the redistribution of plants, trees and landscape materials to a network of nearly 2,000 community and school gardens across the city.
For the past decade we have been the Official Reuse Partner of the RHS, running the reuse schemes at shows including RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace. We are now scaling up, establishing our first Wayward Plants Reuse Centre at Cultivate Colindale and transitioning Wayward Plants into a dedicated charity.
1. Reuse Coordinator
About the role
The Reuse Coordinator supports the day-to-day running of the Wayward Plants Reuse Centre and our network of community and school green spaces across London. The role is varied, combining hands-on work with plants and materials, systems and inventory development, and relationship building with community groups, schools, partner organisations and volunteers. The role also supports wider partnerships with local authorities, developers, construction companies and cultural institutions, including our ongoing partnership with the RHS, as well as public engagement through Wayward Plant Adoption Events. You will work closely with Wayward leadership and the Cultivate Colindale Head Gardener, alongside a growing community of partners and volunteers.
Key responsibilities
- Supporting operations at the Wayward Plants Reuse Centre
- Supporting the coordination of the reuse initiative for RHS shows, including volunteers, community groups and schools, and plant and material collections
- Coordinating the delivery and distribution of surplus plants, trees and landscape materials
- Liaising with community groups and schools to match materials with local needs
- Developing relationships with sources of surplus plants and materials, such as landscape contractors, garden centres and nurseries
- Helping develop a “plant hospital” and quarantine process for incoming plants
- Coordinating and supporting the volunteer programme
- Designing and maintaining systems for the identification, storage, distribution and reuse of donated materials
- Keeping accurate records and supporting monitoring and evaluation
- Running community engagement workshops
- Coordinating and delivering public Wayward Plant Adoption Events
- Helping to develop and pilot new Wayward Plants initiatives
About you
We are looking for someone who is:
- A strong, confident communicator and relationship builder
- Practical, organised and comfortable managing multiple tasks
- Knowledgeable about plants and horticulture, with experience in horticulture or landscape sectors helpful but not essential
- Passionate about gardening, equitable access to green space and circular economy thinking, and interested in how ideas of reuse translate into practice
- Comfortable with hands-on physical work and outdoor environments
- Committed to equitable access to nature and community-centred work
There is space for creativity and initiative in this role, and we encourage applicants to share any additional skills they bring. This might include graphic or product design, carpentry or fabrication, photography, or other relevant areas.
Working arrangements
- Part-time (2–3 days per week), with the potential to become full-time
- Based at Cultivate Colindale, with travel across London as required
- Occasional evening or weekend work for events
- During May–July, availability will be required to support RHS show collections and associated travel. This may involve short periods of increased or fuller-time hours, agreed in advance and compensated through additional pay or time off in lieu
- A valid UK driving licence is required, with occasional driving needed to support collections, site visits or events.
- Experience using a cargo bike or forklift is a plus, though a willingness to learn is equally welcome
Salary: £35,000 pro rata
2. Programmes and Communications Coordinator
About the role
This role combines communications, programming, community engagement and storytelling. You will help shape how Wayward Plants communicates its mission, activities and partnerships, and how this work is experienced by the public.
You will document the daily life of the Reuse Centre, our volunteer network and the community gardens we support. You will also help deliver public-facing events and exhibitions, including Wayward Plant Adoption Events and anniversary programming.
Key responsibilities
- Programming, coordinating and hosting public engagement events centred on Wayward Plant Adoptions and creative exchanges between people, plants and stories
- Managing social media and website content for the Wayward Plants Reuse Initiative, including planning, posting and responding
- Documenting plant donations to community gardens and schools, as well as volunteer activity, through photography, video and short written pieces
- Creating newsletters and updates for partners and supporters
- Gathering impact data, stories and images to support monitoring, evaluation and funder reporting
- Developing, curating and delivering content and programming for the 2026 anniversary exhibitions and tours, including archive organisation, visual documentation and narrative material
- Working closely with Wayward leadership, the Reuse Coordinator and the Head Gardener to share the wider work of the Reuse Centre
About you
We are looking for someone who is:
- Highly collaborative and comfortable working as part of a small team
- A strong, confident communicator who can represent Wayward Plants at in-person events
- A clear, engaging writer with a warm and accessible voice
- Confident managing social media and capturing strong visual content
- Comfortable documenting people, plants and places sensitively and creatively
- Creatively enthusiastic about storytelling, community engagement and ecological change
- Organised, reliable and able to manage multiple tasks
- Comfortable working with children, families, community groups and volunteers
- Knowledgeable about plants and gardening
- Passionate about equitable access to nature and the circular economy
Working arrangements
- Part-time (2–3 days per week), with the potential to become full-time
- Based at Cultivate Colindale, with travel across London as required
- Some evening or weekend work for events
- May–July is a seasonal peak period and availability will be required. This may involve short periods of increased or fuller-time hours, agreed in advance and compensated through additional pay or time off in lieu.
Salary: £35,000 pro rata
How to apply (both positions)
Please email jobs@wayward.co.uk with a CV and a short statement explaining why you are interested in the role and how your experience aligns with it. Please clearly state which role you are applying for. If you are applying as a local Colindale or Barnet candidate, please note this in your statement.
The deadline for applications is Friday 6 February. We may close applications early if we receive a strong response, so early applications are encouraged.
Wayward Plants is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible working environment.