The Garden Gang sets out to spruce up Leeds and provide employment opportunities

A new gardening team has been launched to spruce up the gardens of some of the city’s residents.

The Garden Gang will tidy and maintain gardens for people living in the East North East area of Leeds, including Burmantofts, Richmond Hill, Gipton, Harehills, Killingbeck and Seacroft.

It is a unique project which provides training and supported employment opportunities for people who may find it difficult to gain employment.

The social enterprise initiative has been formed through a three-way partnership between Harrogate-based not-for-profit social care organisation The Avalon Group, East North East Homes Leeds (ENEHL) and Leeds City Council.

Keith Wyatt, Innovations Director of The Avalon Group, said: “Avalon has already partnered with ENEHL on Michelangelo’s Mates, which last year won the award for Most Effective Partnership in the National Federation of ALMOs Awards.

“Our vision for The Garden Gang is similarly ambitious. Most important is our ongoing commitment to our customers, providing them with real opportunities, paid jobs and training, and to leading innovation in social enterprise.

“We work closely with disability employment advisers at Job Centre Plus, Mencap’s Pathway scheme and Leeds City College.  Anyone referred to work in the project will receive on-the-job training, usually leading to a recognised qualification.  Some people will remain employed by us, and some will gain the skills needed to help them into further employment.”

Over the past few years The Avalon Group has opened a series of social enterprises including painting and decorating service Michelangelo’s Mates and in May 2010 it launched The House of Avalon, a vintage clothing, hair-styling and coffee shop in York.

The Avalon Group’s Chief Executive Angelena Fixter added: “All these services provide employment opportunities for people who might not find it easy to get a job and we are now looking forward to launching The Garden Gang and bringing new benefits to the Leeds community.

“As ever, The Avalon Group is committed to empowering and supporting people to be full citizens, through innovative services that provide excellent quality and value for money.“

Steve Hunt, ENEHL Chief Executive, said:  “Housing is about people as well as bricks and mortar.  This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for us to help people with learning disabilities enter employment and at the same time gives a helping hand to the city’s other vulnerable residents.”

The service is open to anyone living in the East North East Homes area of Leeds.  A small contribution will be requested from anyone who is not a tenant of ENEHL. 

The Garden Gang will also carry out work in the gardens of empty ENEHL properties prior to new tenants moving in.

For further information contact The Avalon Group on 01423 530 053 or visit www.avalongroup.org.uk