Heart of Tamworth
Grow
8 January 2023
Grow Gardeners is a horticultural work experience programme run by Grow UK in Sheffield, designed to support young people with multiple barriers to employment, including offending backgrounds, homelessness, or mental health issues. Their goal is to reduce social isolation and act as a transition to work, offering 1:1 support to trainees who work 10.5 hours a week for sixteen weeks and are paid the living wage.
The scheme begins with a volunteer-led mentoring programme lasting an average of 8 sessions, designed to support young people to take their first steps towards employment or training. Trainees are then inducted onto The Grow Programme, introducing them to soft skills necessary for employment. Whilst working, trainees receive employability and horticultural skills training, and on completion the young person can interview for a position with Grow Gardeners – or receive employment support to help them find a different route forward.
Since AGCF granted £180,000 to Grow Gardeners in July 2023, 30 trainees have accessed the project’s pre-programme, with 15 of those continuing through to the Grow Gardeners main project.
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