At The Fifth Trust, we’ve been empowering adults with learning disabilities through education, creativity, skills training, and meaningful work experience since 1990. Our vibrant community is built on compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to making a real difference.
We offer a wide range of enriching activities led by a passionate team of instructors, carers, and support staff. Whether you’re experienced in care, teaching, the arts, horticulture, hospitality – or simply bring a caring and positive attitude – we’d love to hear from you.
Our values form the foundation of our thinking and underpin all the work we do.
We treat everyone with kindness and respect.
We tailor our services to the individual needs of each student and offer freedom of choice.
We encourage our students and our staff to develop skills and self-belief.
We provide high quality, life enhancing services in a safe, supportive environment.
Students, staff, volunteers, trustees, families, carers: we work together.
when The Fifth Trust is closed (typically three working days)
(living at the same address)
Nominated beneficiaries will receive 3x your annual salary if you die while employed by The Fifth Trust
(eligible via Charity Workers Discount)
Spread the cost of home & tech goods over a year. You can save up to 8% on National Insurance and pay directly from your salary
Text-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) provided by ieso
Job Title: Junior Garden Centre Assistant (16+)
Hours: Sunday 10am-4pm with possible additional hours available on occasional Saturdays.
Salary: Minimum wage (in line with government age guidelines).
Location: Elham Valley Vineyard
The Vineyard Garden Centre, run by The Fifth Trust is an award-winning charity seeking a friendly, enthusiastic and reliable Junior Garden Centre Assistant to join our team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, has a positive attitude and is keen to learn. Duties will include greeting customers, taking payments, watering and general duties.
Previous retail experience is welcome but not essential – full training will be provided. This makes the role ideal for a first-time job or those looking for experience. Candidates should be 16+ and have transport.
Key Responsibilities:
• Greeting and serving customers with a friendly and positive attitude.
• Taking payments at the till.
• Restocking and assisting with general duties.
• Supporting the garden centre team as required.
What We’re Looking For:
• Friendly and positive attitude.
• Willing to learn and take on new tasks
• Able to work as part of a team.
Job Title: Café and Cook Club Instructor
Hours: Full-time or part-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work one weekend a month
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £27,400
Location: Elham Valley Vineyard
The Fifth Trust is an award-winning charity seeking a caring, creative and empathetic Café and Cook Club Instructor to help make cooking fun, accessible and empowering for adults with learning disabilities. This rewarding role is shared across two much-loved areas of our work. In the Vineyard Café, you’ll be part of an inclusive, supportive team that values diversity, respect and teamwork, preparing orders, serving customers and guiding students. In Cook Club, you’ll support students to build valuable life skills through practical, hands-on cooking activities. Whether you’re preparing delicious food, baking for our cake counter, supporting students in the kitchen or welcoming café customers, you’ll help create a positive environment where people feel encouraged, included and proud of what they achieve.
For an informal conversation about vacancies at The Fifth Trust, please contact us using the form below, or by calling 01227 832022.
Thank you for your interest in joining The Fifth Trust.
Disappointingly, only 5.1% of adults with learning disabilities in England are currently in paid employment, highlighting the continued discrimination they face in our society.
Here at The Fifth Trust, we recognise the importance of addressing this issue by providing essential day care services which both challenge and encourage our students to do and be the best they can, every day.
Our work focuses on transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities through an adaptable, person-centred approach. We offer skills training to our diverse group of students, ranging in age from 16 to 65 and beyond.
Our vision is clear: to create a world where every person with a learning disability can access life-enhancing opportunities tailored to their individual needs. The mission we’ve set forth is equally straightforward – to encourage and challenge our students to reach their full potential. Through our collective efforts, we also aim to educate the wider public and break down stigmas surrounding disability.
By joining Team5T, your contribution will directly impact the lives of individuals across East Kent, fostering positive change and empowering those who need it most.
