Roots to Work is a work placement opportunity that aims to develop peoples’ skills and confidence in Catering and Hospitality, Retail, Grounds Maintenance or Horticulture. 

Trainees work alongside staff once a week for 12 weeks in either the café, farm gardens or grounds.  

During the placements Trainees gain real on-the-job experience, new skills and AQA Awards to prove their abilities.  

From the start we provide support to map the Trainee’s development, identify goals and can help write CVs. Towards the end of the placements, we provide advice and support to access either additional training, signposting to other services, volunteering opportunities or help search for and apply for employment.  

Eligibility 

To access Roots to Work you must be over 18 years of age, long-term unemployed (6 months or over), have mental health difficulties or a learning disability.  

Days 10am – 3pm Lunch provided 

Tuesdays – Fridays  Catering and Hospitality: front of house, kitchen, washing up, till use, barista training, cooking, waitering and food hygiene 

Tuesdays – Fridays Retail: stock management, front of house, till use, customer relations and health and safety

Thursdays and Fridays – Horticulture: plant propagation, harvesting, composting, weed identification, pruning, food growing techniques and harvesting

Wednesdays – Grounds Maintenace: fence building, basic carpentry, strimming, mowing, pathway maintenance and landscaping