Team work make-over for college special educational needs garden

The garden at Cambridge Regional College, where special educational needs students grow vegetables, herbs and flowers in their horticultural studies, has been given a transformation.

The make-over has been made possible thanks to a project in conjunction with Cambridge-based residential property management firm, Encore.

Adults seeking work took part in a two-week caretaking and maintenance course at Cambridge Regional College, which included completely revamping the SEND garden.

They also spruced up a second area at one of the college entrances making it smart and tidy.

At the end of the fortnight of work experience all participants received a qualification and an invitation to attend an interview with Encore for jobs within the company’s multi-skilled facilities team.

Nick Archer, Associate Director – HR & Recruitment, at Encore, said: “This has been a great opportunity to engage with the community and to home-grow our own talent for future employees as professional caretakers and concierge staff for our growing property portfolio.

“Our philosophy has always been “to care for our properties as though we lived there” and that is what we hope our potential new caretaker staff will do to. It has been a pleasure to work with Cambridge Regional College on this initiative.”

Encore is experienced at managing all types of residential developments – from smaller blocks to developments with on-site teams, and large residential estates.