A new Dorset social enterprise is giving gardens – and young people – a fresh start. GreenCare, run by Dorset Community Action in partnership with Employ My Ability, has already raised more than £10,000 to support its work restoring gardens and outdoor spaces while creating jobs for young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
From overgrown lawns to bramble-filled corners, the GreenCare team roll up their sleeves and get stuck in, turning even the toughest plots into safe, usable spaces. Wherever possible, the team use battery-powered tools and encourage pollinator-friendly planting, making the approach as kind to wildlife as it is to people.
Every job directly supports a trainee on their journey into work – a vital step, given that nationally only 5.9 per cent of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment.
The service is designed to be affordable and straightforward, with clear pricing and no hidden extras. Customers range from private residents to housing associations, and every penny of profit is reinvested into training and support.
Simon Chapman of Employ My Ability says: ‘The programme has enabled our students to progress into paid work in a nurturing environment that pushes them to do more and be better. Receiving a wage boosts their self-esteem and helps them realise their value to society.’
Whether it’s regular lawn care, hedge trimming, seasonal planting or a one-off clearance, GreenCare promises reliable, community-minded service – and the knowledge that your garden is helping someone else grow too.
GreenCare is also keen to build new collaborations with local organisations – whether by providing partnership funding to support staff time, offering grounds maintenance contracts that the GreenCare team could deliver, or referring young people onto the programme.
To get in touch, please speak to Lydia or Paul:
Lydia Harvey, Enterprise Coordinator – talk to Lydia to arrange for a free site visit and a garden maintenance quote:
07421 994 591or [email protected]
Paul Seaman, Programme Manager – talk to Paul for partnerships and referrals: 07421 994 587 or [email protected]
Learn more on the website: dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk/community-employment/greencare
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