We train and support teams to:

Clear and maintain gardens (clearing overgrown gardens, pruning shrubs and trees cutting hedges (including tall hedges), weeding
Promote interest and learning in gardening, enabling individuals to sustain their gardens by providing access to knowledge, tools and equipment and practical help
Facilitate garden maintenance by creating low maintenance and drought gardens
Enable older people and people with disabilities to enjoy gardening by creating appropriate spaces [raised beds, wide paths, greenhouses – may need individual charity applications]
Create safe gardens for children to play in [this means securing boundaries, cutting grass, removing rubbish, identifying poisonous plants- later- develop expertise to build play areas for children with disabilities- several sources of funding]
Promote community projects and interest in and use of shared spaces, assisting community schemes by providing expertise, advice on grants, equipment and a team to work with local volunteers
Take on large or small grounds maintenance contracts that will provide work experience, business income and create paid posts

In January 2008 Mow & Grow teamed up with Eco Actif Services CIC to launch Mow & Grow South London, this exciting partnership took 18 months of groundwork and development to finally unite two fellow UnLtd level 2 award winning social entrepreneurs , Trevor Lynn & Amanda Palmer-Roye. As a result the Mow & Grow South London pilot boasts all the elements of Mow & grow elsewhere but has

Progress2Work & Link Up – Jobcentre Plus funded programmes supporting ex-offenders, people recovering from substance misuse (drugs & alcohol), homelessness, & people recovering from mental health problems to get back into the workplace.

EnCompass – LDA funded programme offering Level 3 NVQ training in Information, Advice & Guidance to all disadvantaged people in South London.

Able2Work – funded by the London Borough of Sutton helping disabled people and those in receipt of health related benefits to reenter the labour market.

All ‘bout me – A Home Office funded programme aimed at deflecting young people from Gangs, Gun & Knife crime.

Health & Safety in Construction – this is a bespoke training programme written specifically for our clients to enable them to gain the necessary Health & Safety qualification that will allow them to work as operatives on building sites.

The innovative collaboration of Mow & Grow and Eco-Actif Services CIC will produce a new social enterprise - Mow & Grow South London - a gardening company with a social purpose. Based in South London, the company will look after green spaces and gardens, whilst also offering training & development to disadvantaged people who wish to gain OCN qualifications in Horticultural Machinery. Job Centre plus logo Clients will enter a 12 week programme which will equip them with the skills, knowledge and qualifications to access paid employment in the Horticultural industry, either within Mow & Grow or an external employer. This holistic approach will address the needs of each client on an individual basis.

There are three levels of qualification that can be achieved and clients will be eligible for all three if they choose to participate. Training & supervision will be provided by a full-time Coordinator who will work with the clients on site maintaining the specification of the grounds maintenance contract. They will ensure that trainees:-

Have the correct Personal Protective Equipment whilst working
Maintain good work ethics including timekeeping, hygiene and producing excellent standards of work.
Access any additional support from Eco-Actif Services CIC if needed
Are trained to a high quality according to their individual needs
Are equipped with the skills, knowledge & qualification to improve their employability.
Adhere to all Health & Safety regulations
CRB checks will be arranged where necessary