Growing and Learning

We’ve launched a Growing and Learning project to offer volunteering opportunities for job seekers and encourage our tenants to grow their own produce.

In the first four months, 12 volunteers have worked on the project, gaining skills, confidence and experience to support them in finding employment.

Three of them have now secured full time paid employment.

The project, run by Ongo’s Employment Support Team, has allotments and growing projects in Scunthorpe and Barton.

Professional horticulturist and Project Manager John Cavill has been employed to manage the project and work with volunteers and families to teach them about growing fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.

John Cavill said: “This project has been really successful so far. It’s great seeing the volunteers grow in confidence with the more they learn.

“One of our volunteers, Dwain has shown just how important projects like this are for people trying to get back into work. He had been unemployed for a long time and struggling to find a job, so he started volunteering. He has learnt so much in four months and continues to enjoy the structure and routine he now has since volunteering.

“For anyone looking to get back into work, who might not have all the skills needed, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Ongo to see what volunteering and training opportunities there are out there.”

This project is funded for two years.

In the last 12 months, the Employment Support Team has supported 210 into employment or training.