Opportunity to bloom for budding horticulturalists
Four young horticulturalists are being offered an opportunity to sow the seeds of a career in gardening and agriculture.
Thanks to the Kickstart Scheme from the Department of Work and Pensions, Hands of Hope Charity has four paid trainee grower positions available for 16-24 year-olds who are currently unemployed and claiming Universal Credit.
Harvesting in the garden
PICTURE: Ann Chown
The jobs are based at the Charity’s Walled Kitchen Garden in Hawkhurst, West Kent. The new employees will become part of a small team developing a heritage walled kitchen garden and 22 acres of land in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. “It’s an exciting time to be joining Hands of Hope, which is developing quickly and expecting a bumper organic harvest in the market garden this year,” says Hands of Hope Education Lead, Matthew Hill.
The Kickstart employees will be paid to work 25 hours per week for a six-month contract, on projects that tackle food poverty and rural isolation, helping improve physical and mental health in communities in Rother, Hastings and West Kent.
Washing pots for community growers
PICTURE: Ann Chown
The placements are designed to provide experience, knowledge and skills from being in a work environment and thereby improve the chances of finding future long-term employment.
To be hired on the Kickstart Scheme, candidates must be 16-24, be ready for work, and be claiming Universal Credit.
• If you or someone you know ticks these boxes and can travel to Hawkhurst in Kent, apply as soon as possible. Visit kickstart.connect.adecco.co.uk, contact your local Job Centre or speak to your work coach and ask to be referred for Trainee Grower – Future Growers Project at Hands of Hope Charity. You can also contact [email protected] for more information.
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