River Garden Vacancies

Volunteer Co-ordinator


Salary: £29,084 - £31,200

Base - River Garden, Auchincruive

Hours: 37.5


Are you an inspirational people-person who thrives on creating connections and making a real difference?


River Garden is a unique therapeutic community dedicated to helping individuals recover from drug and alcohol addiction by empowering them to rediscover their talents, develop new skills, and find purpose.


About the Role: The Impact You’ll Make


We are looking for someone who can play a key role in shaping our relationship with volunteers as well as supporting the mission of River Garden.


Your work will involve:


  • Creating Opportunities: Working with our wider team to identify and create volunteer opportunities across our 47-acre site that provide positive, meaningful experiences.
  • Volunteer Management: Managing the entire volunteer lifecycle, from advertising and recruiting to training, deployment, and supervision, ensuring all processes are safe and efficient.
  • Community & Business Engagement: Actively developing and nurturing relationships with local and national businesses to promote CSR activities, source training, and create crucial work placement and employment pathways for residents.
  • Profile Raising: Taking the lead on discrete creative projects, events, and social media to increase the profile of River Garden within the wider community.
  • Advocacy: Acting as a liaison between River Garden and external employers, helping to drive the benefits of hiring people in recovery and building a network of "recovery-friendly" employers.


We’re Looking For Someone Who:


  • Exudes enthusiasm and a positive approach in all they do.
  • Is a natural connector who enjoys creating new connections and engaging people in understanding our mission.
  • Thrives on independent working and is creative in developing new projects and opportunities.
  • Is a problem solver with a strong focus on action—you enjoy being busy and getting things done.
  • Models our core values of dignity, respect, care, and compassion in every interaction.


Please return the application form to June Murdoch, Administration Lead via email at june@ifdas.net


The closing date for applications is Tuesday 28th October 2025

Recovery Development Worker Position


We are looking for people with a passion and a desire for helping others to join us at River Garden Ayr to support people through their recovery journey. This is a unique opportunity to join a new team and be part of shaping and designing an equally new 6-month program that will support people in their recovery from addiction. River Garden is a unique therapeutic environment covering 47 acres of gardens and woodlands offering up to 24 places for people to physically and psychologically recover, building their strength, confidence and skills for their next steps forward. We provide busy and active social enterprise work in horticulture and catering and a developing program of psychosocial support and interaction.


We welcome applications from people who have lived experience and who can bring their experience to help others. We are also interested in people who have experience in social care and bring a range of experiences including catering, horticulture, group work and improving physical and mental health. Mostly, we want people who care and can share their passion, and compassion for others.


If you are interested please use the links below to read the full job description and to download an application form, once completed please return the application form to June Murdoch, Administration Lead by emailing her at june@ifdas.net.


The closing date for applications is Friday 31st October 2025

Full Time and Part Time Opportunities

General Assistant - Front of House


Join Our Values-Led Team at River Garden Auchincruive (RGA)


Role: General Assistant – Front of House Work Base: The Bothy Café, River Garden Auchincruive (RGA) Salary: £24,570 per annum

Full Time; 37.5 hours per week (predominantly 8:30 to 4:30, Mon to Sun, with occasional early or late events)

Part Time: Weekends 10 till 4 Saturday / Sunday (£12.60 per hour)


The Role: Making a Difference, Every Day

Are you passionate about customer service and committed to working in an environment that actively supports people in recovery?

We are looking for a welcoming and proactive General Assistant to join our Front of House team at The Bothy Café, located within the beautiful grounds of River Garden Auchincruive (RGA).


This role is responsible for ensuring a positive, welcoming experience for all customers, embodying the values of respect, empathy, and non-judgement in all interactions with colleagues, residents, volunteers, and the public (including our four-legged furry friends!).


Key Responsibilities

  • Customer Care: Greet all visitors warmly, manage customer flow and seating, and handle enquiries professionally to ensure a great customer experience.
  • Service Delivery: Accurately take food and drink orders, prepare and serve hot and cold beverages (including basic barista skills), and deliver food promptly to tables.
  • Operations & Till Management: Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system, handle cash/card payments accurately, and maintain high standards of cleanliness across the cafe, service areas, and restrooms.
  • Teamwork & Advocacy: Work collaboratively with all staff and those in recovery. Take opportunities to share your knowledge and support the learning of residents and volunteers working in The Bothy.


What You Will Bring

  • Experience: Previous experience in a customer-facing role, such as retail or hospitality, is essential. We also welcome applications from people with lived experience.
  • Skills: Proven ability to handle cash and accurately operate a till system. Basic coffee-making skills are desirable, but a strong willingness to learn is crucial.
  • Attributes: An excellent, genuinely friendly, and outgoing personality. Must be reliable, punctual, and aligned with the River Garden values, committing to creating a positive, safe experience for every visitor.


Join us in our mission to support people in recovery in a supportive, values-led working environment. Send your CV and/or application to hugh.hill@ifdas.net Closing date 07th November