Tackling long-term unemployment in Bolton

Glendale has been supporting its client, Bolton at Home, in breaking the cycle of long-term unemployment on housing estates in Bolton, by providing employment opportunities for local residents.

The opportunities are the final stage in a project that aims to increase employability and improve the local environment, delivered through Bolton at Home’s UCAN centres.

The project, Estate Rangers, is a 16-week programme of training that provides candidates with practical work experience in gardening and landscaping and leads to a formally recognised qualification in Horticulture.

After the 16-week programme is complete, the candidates are given the opportunity to take up a seasonal grounds maintenance position with Glendale, who are currently providing grounds maintenance and tree services on behalf of the social housing provider.

There are opportunities for successful candidates to secure full-time positions with the green space management specialist.

Glendale currently employs six grounds maintenance operatives as a direct result of Bolton at Home’s Estate Ranger project. Four of these staff are in full-time positions and two are seasonal employees.

Sean Minogue joined Glendale as a seasonal employee through the project, he said: “The whole experience has changed my life. It’s given me more confidence, a sense of belonging and worth. My dream is now to work for Glendale full-time.”

The project led to Bolton at Home receiving a Business in the Community, Responsible Business award in 2016 for helping excluded groups become more socially and economically active.

Alan Stevens, contract manager at Glendale, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support our client in achieving this fantastic award by providing local job opportunities, something that’s already such a huge part of our business culture at Glendale.

“The Estate Rangers project is invaluable for helping local, unemployed people back into work, and the success of the programme is a demonstration of the teamwork and positive ethos of the whole workforce. I’m proud to work with such a fantastic team of people.

“I think it’s important to note that this isn’t something we do as just part of the contract specification. We do it because we are passionate about investing in the local community here in Bolton, and providing careers and training for those in long-term unemployment is just one way we can help make a difference.”