Planting seeds and growing confidence

Martin was referred to Linked Employment in 2007 whilst he was at SEEVIC College. Martin has always had a very keen interest in gardening and had also been attending Writtle College once a week when he was at SEEVIC College. A job was found at View Nursery Garden Centre working on Sundays where he cut the gradd and helped customers to choose plants and load large items into their cars.

Martin's employment advisor started looking for more hours working weekdays which involved wholesale horticulture.

It was decided that Martin would accompany his Employment Advi-sor when she cold called Nurseries in the local area.

After numerous visits, they called at L.J. Smith & Son where a member of staff had just resigned. Martin was given a job working mornings which involves pricking out plug plants, transferring plants from the hot greenhouse, cool house to outside, which involves a lot of physical hard work pushing the trolleys full with plants. Martin then prepares the plants for sale and helps to load the vans which deliver to retail outlets. Martin also mows the lawn and keeps the garden tidy at Mr. Smith's property next door to the nursery.

After discussion with his Employment Advisor, Martin decided that as he still had spare time, that he would like to do some voluntary work. Hyde Hall RHS was contacted and Martin now works 4 hours a week as a Horticulture Volunteer where he has learned a great deal about designing gardens, planting plants, shrubs and trees and helps keeps the gardens nice and tidy for the public to view.

With support from Linked Employment, Martin attended Writtle College this year and applied to attend a Pruning Course where he has received his first certificate in horticulture. He now plans to attend a Propagation Course in June.

Joss Smith from L.J. Smith says “It has been lovely to watch Martin's confidence grow. With confidence comes speed and getting better at his job. He is a joy to have about the place”.

Martin says “I enjoy working at Smiths and have made lots of friends. I like the job role and working outdoors, hopefully in the sunshine. I'm learning new things everyday at Smiths and at Hyde Hall”.

Martin has now 4 years experience of working in horticulture retail, wholesale and voluntary and continues to learn, but most of all he is working in a job that he loves.