Training and employment with Cultivate London

Through our partnerships with Cultivate London, an urban farm and social enterprise set up to provide work experience and training for long-term unemployed young people aged 16-24 years, we are supporting opportunities across our developments.

Along with the training they receive, young people are an active part of the social enterprise, working to produce seasonal herbs, vegetables and plants, selling what they have produced locally to restaurants, shops and farmers markets. In this manner, they gain additional valuable business skills in selling, marketing and social enterprise.

Nida, a 25-year-old LB Hounslow resident, joined Cultivate London as a trainee grower. She did not know much about food growing and horticulture and did not have a clear idea about what she wanted to do as a future career. However, while at CL she was involved in a wide range of horticultural tasks and she took to the work very well, quickly realising that it was something she really enjoyed. She impressed Cultivate London staff with her willingness to work hard and try new activities. Upon completion of her traineeship, she was offered a paid, temporary contract position at Hyde Park, working five days a week.

Nida is now a second year Royal Parks apprentice. She attends Capel College for one day per week. She is working on a course which leads towards a Horticultural Landscape Operative Qualification. She would eventually like to run her own commercial farm.