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We are excited to be recruiting an Operations Manager, full time post, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, details below. To apply, send a CV and covering letter to [email protected]. Deadline for applications Friday 4th April. 
We launched a new seven-year business plan in 2024 as we have access to new buildings and other opportunities which will further diversify and increase our activities, notably into overnight accommodation. Key to this expansion is the introduction of a full time Operations Manager to oversee all the day to day activities of the farm, ensuring internal policies and procedures are followed and external regulations are adhered to including personnel management (eleven employees), financial reporting including charitable grant applications/reporting, safeguarding, food hygiene, first aid and health and safety. We are a small, person-centred team with a good track record of delivery. During term time, there are around fifty people on the farm each week with over 2,500 social farming day places being offered every year.
The role reports directly to the Trustees and works shoulder to shoulder with the current Farm Director. It requires previous experience of a similar role, ideally in a charity or co-operative, excellent communication and organisational skills, an empathy for nature as well as a passion for chemical free farming. Experience of working alongside people with learning disabilities and/or autism is highly desirable as half our current employees have a learning disability. We are an inclusive employer and we welcome applications from people with a disability. The post is grant funded for three years with a 5% salary increase built in per year. After three years, the role will be funded through the increase in financial activity. We take safeguarding of all vulnerable people on the farm very seriously and you will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check if successful. We are running a two-stage interview process. Selected candidates will be required to attend an interview and from this we will shortlist candidates for a second interview involving a presentation and undertaking of a couple of tasks. To apply, please send your current CV, along with a letter of application detailing how you match the person specification, by midnight on Friday 4th April 2025 to Jenny Chittenden (Society Secretary) [email protected] Interviews will start in week commencing 21st April 2025 with a start date during June 2025. For further information please contact Spencer Christy (Farm Director) [email protected] or 01621 788348. Lauriston Farm Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Applicants must be willing to undergo protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS disclosure. Please note this post is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you will be required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). The amendments to the Exceptions Order provide that certain ‘spent’ convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service website. Hours and salaryNormal working hours are 7 per day, 9am to 5pm, five days per week (lunch 1-2pm). This is a salaried position set at £35,000 for year one with a 5% increase in year two and year three. LocationThe post will be based at Lauriston Farm, Lauriston Farm Chase, Maldon, Essex CM9 8AH. What do we offer?
LAURISTON FARM JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Operations Manager Salary: £35,000 per annum with 5% increase in year 2 and 3 Hours per week / Contract type: 35 hours / week, salaried position Team: Working alongside the Farm Director Reporting to: The Board of Trustees Location: Lauriston Farm, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AH Purpose of role A new, central organisational role responsible for ensuring the smooth running of all day to day activities through compliance with external regulations and management of internal procedures, policies, staff and finance. Duties & Responsibilities for this post: Day to day management
Personnel Management
Compliance
Finance
General Duties
Key Working Relationships
PERSON SPECIFICATION (Essential = E, Desirable = D) Experience, knowledge & skills
Qualifications
Other
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After five years I will be standing down as Secretary and trustee at the 2025 AGM, so the Board are seeking a replacement. I’ve enjoyed the role, learning about the farm and getting to know the staff, trustees and farm users. Lauriston is a wonderful and unique place and I’m glad to have been part of it as the Society grows and changes. The role involves preparing agendas and taking minutes at monthly board meetings as well as organising the AGM. The Board have discussions by email for things which come up between meetings. At a rough estimate this equates to 10-12 hours per month but some months it may be more. Trustees can also get involved in things such as policy creation and recruitment. If you would like to apply, please email with some details about yourself and I will forward this on to the Chair of the Board. Alternatively if you think you might be interested but would like to ask more about the role first I’d be happy to have an informal chat with you. The email address in either case is [email protected] A role description can be found below. Jenny Chittenden Secretary to the Board of Trustees  The team travelled to Rudolf Steiner House on Sunday 10th November to attend the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the lectures by Steiner which resulted in the founding of Biodynamics. They were there to be presented with some very special awards :-
Outstanding Practice for Spencer and Lauriston Farm Long Service Award for Andre & Monique. Spencer was also invited to give a 60 second presentation on the future of Biodynamics in the UK (see summary below). Well done to all that attended - it was an honour to be there. Spencer's Presentation Biodynamics is a grass roots movement. More meetings of BD farmers and growers, maybe two or three a year, moving from farm to farm, learning and supporting one another. Enabling the elders from the farms and gardens to mentor and train the entrants. Advocate not only the ecological, nutritional and spiritual impact of the BD farms, but also the wider impacts of the farms on society, through the therapeutic work; new models of ownership; the building of local communities and localised economies. 
Dear Members,
Your Trustees have completed the final draft, without photos, of our seven year business plan and you can view it by clicking on the link above. We are hodting a special Members Meeting at 4pm on Saturday 20th April 2024 on the farm and online to give you the chance to give your thoughts on it and for us to explain more about the plan and answer any questions you have. We hope we will be able to ratify the plan at this event and start enacting the plan. If you are unable to attend, you can send send your comments and questions by email to [email protected] We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 20th April - all cakes will be warmly received! Good wishes, Spencer Christy Farm Director It was lovely to see so many people at the AGM, we hope you all enjoyed the day. Here are the minutes of the meeting and the reports from staff.
Our sixth year of trading is summarised in the report below and the accounts. If you have any questions, please email our Farm Director Spencer Christy - [email protected]
 Would you like to work at Lauriston Farm? Are you an excellent organiser with experience of providing services for adults with learning disabilities, autism or other special needs? We are looking to appoint to this new internal organisational role which will be responsible for ensuring compliance with external regulations and overseeing internal procedures and policies relating to all social farming activities, enabling smooth running internally and outward facing reassurance. Full details are attached, please forward to anyone you think might be interested.
Dear Members The sixth Annual General Meeting of the Lauriston Farm Charitable Community Benefit Society will be held at 11am on Sunday 18th June 2023. The agenda is below. As last year, we are planning to include a chance to spray the meadows with a biodynamic preparation, and are delighted to welcome back Katharina Baiter, a singer and music teacher from Forest Row, who will help us make some beautiful music. So that we know how many people to expect, RSVP to [email protected] by Sunday 4th June. The Board is seeking a new trustee. If you think this could be a role for you please get in touch. The commitment is four to five hours a month, with meetings held in person or virtually. We look forward to seeing you on 18th June. With best wishes from all at Lauriston Jenny Chittenden Secretary to the Board of Trustees
We are a community owned, charitable co-operative based on the Blackwater Estuary, near Maldon in Essex. Launched in 2017 and building on thirteen years of development, we provide education and support through meaningful work experiences to people with learning disabilities and/or autism (LDA) as well as undertaking significant nature conservation work through the running of a biodynamic, organic farm. The farm covers 210 acres and has rare breed cattle and sheep, laying hens, vegetable growing, woolly crafts and domestic gardening. It is a beautiful, tranquil setting. We are progressing towards becoming a Camphill Community and are inspired by anthroposophy.
We have developed a productive and rewarding Day Placement program for LDAs (Co-Workers) and are now looking to expand the provision and develop a small team of support workers to provide resilience and support one another. The role requires previous experience of supporting LDAs using a person-centred approach, a love for the outdoors work, an empathy for nature, a passion for chemical free farming and an interest in wool crafting. Typical days include sheep husbandry, chicken husbandry, grading and boxing eggs, basic horticulture, farm laundry, keeping the workplace tidy, making drinks for tea break and washing up. The ability to work empathetically and to receive instructions on biodynamic farming and gardening and communicate these to our day placement co-workers to create a meaningful working day is essential. Previous practical farming and gardening experience is desirable but not essential as you can learn from our existing staff and our co-workers. You will also be familiar with current safeguarding legislation as well as health and safety, first aid and have awareness of autism and epilepsy. You will need to record the individual’s daily activities at the end of each day and communicate with parents and primary carers of our co-workers. Lauriston Farm Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Applicants must be willing to undergo protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS disclosure. Please note this post is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you will be required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). The amendments to the Exceptions Order provide that certain ‘spent’ convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. To find out more please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website. Normal working hours are 8 hours, 9am-5pm. The day placements currently take place Tuesday to Friday for 49 weeks per year. You can apply for one to four days per week as we are building a new team of individuals who can support one another for holidays. Interviews will start week commencing 22nd May with start date ideally the end of June. For further information please contact Spencer Christy (Farm Director) [email protected] or 01621 788348. To apply, please send your current CV, with a covering letter of application detailing how you match the person specification, by midnight on Sunday 21st May 2023 to Jenny Chittenden (Society Secretary) [email protected] Job Type: Part-time. Hours: 8 - 32 per week. Monday to Friday Salary: £12.50 per hour Benefits: * Casual dress * Discounted or free food * On-site parking Application deadline: 21/05/2023 |
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Lauriston Farm Limited
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Community Benefit Society with charitable objectives
Registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Number 7481 Incorporated 1st February 2017 |
Lauriston Farm
Goldhanger Essex CM9 8AH England |
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