Unemployed people are being given the chance to find a new job while working in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham's award-winning parks thanks to a groundbreaking new initiative.
Quadron and Groundwork London
Groundwork London aims to improve the economic prospects of individuals and whole communities by helping people to help themselves. Groundwork has been successfully working in partnership with Quadron since November 2008. They have been delivering a programme of practical works across various sites in LB Hammersmith and Fulham, acting as a "horticultural hit squad", whilst providing a breadth of genuine and diverse horticultural training in a "live" work setting, to local and often long term unemployed clients. Groundwork call this the "Quadron Green Team".
Individuals that work on the Quadron programme develop their confidence, skills and experience in their pursuit to find permanent work at the same time as contributing to the regeneration of their own neighbourhoods.
To date over 25 clients have gained practical experience of work through the Quadron Green Team, achieving a ROLO health and safety qualification, with clients progressing onto a variety of destinations, including studying for NVQs, other qualifications, further volunteering, seasonal work with Quadron or Groundwork, and full time employment with local private horticultural firms.
"Clients gain a sense of esteem and purpose from seeing the visible improvements to the local area they have made. They also establish a work routine and develop a strong team spirit, and recognition from their peers at Quadron. They are more confident, more experienced and far more employable by the end of the programme" - Robin Aynsley Smith, Placement Officer, Groundwork London.
"Working with Lucy (our trainer) in Hammersmith and Fulham gave me a sense I could work and do something worthwhile. I got back into working, and now I'm employed by Groundwork as a Gardener and driver. I enjoy my life more, and look forward to a days work" - Rob, Groundwork Ealing Homes Gardener and ex-Quadron Green Team trainee.
"It's excellent that National, Regional and Local regeneration initiatives to redress worklessness amongst disadvantaged groups in the most deprived areas are becoming embedded within Quadron contracts" - Colin Zetie, Head of Employment & Skills Training, Groundwork London.
"This is a fantastic example of successful cross sector partnership working. Quadron have been extremely active in working alongside Groundwork to provide local people with training and employment opportunities as part of their grounds maintenance contracts" Ben Coles, Director West London, Groundwork London.
For more information please contact:
Colin Zetie Groundwork London 07949 343759 (Head, Employment & Skills training)
Ben Coles Groundwork London 07890 195942 (Director, West London)
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