Job hunting

[Falkor]

After years of trying to get on top of my illness I have decided the time has come to get back out in the working world. I do need to be selective and I really want to do gardening landscaping, I have just done my own garden and I loved doing it, it was so good for the mind, and looking back on the job I done gave me a huge boost. I have a feeling I might need to study some courses but I was wondering if anyone on here is in that line of work and can give me some ideas.

Also would be willing to do it on a volunteer basis to gain experience

 

[Racek]

Green keeper?

 

[Falkor]

Green keeper?

Would love it, I have been a groundsman at a football club

 

[KZNSeagull]

Would love it, I have been a groundsman at a football club

I suspect you would need to do the appropriate courses now though if you have not done them - greenkeeping is almost a science these days. Interesting though, if you like that sort of thing.

 

[Falkor]

I am at the job centre going have a chin wag with them.

 

[Racek]

Im sure there is a lot to being a green keeper. Although, it is one of those jobs that you can start from the bottom and having played gold for the past 15 years there seemed to be a lot of people doing it part time as well.
Loads of courses around and a good time of year to stand a good chance of getting work.

Best of luck!

 

[public school boy]

Set up your own business. Much better to be your own boss.

 

[Garage_Doors]

Set up your own business. Much better to be your own boss.

This , This and this.

Best advice by a country mile.
Started mine last year ans wished i did it years ago, (but its not gardening though)
How have you funded your lifestyle if you have not been working, as a new poster what was your illness?

 

[Falkor]

I been entered for 6week volunteer work In Lewes outside 7am start 30hours a week. Also been given tones of advice.

I had a complete mental breakdown and have attempted 2before to go back to be followed by mental break downs so I want to do something I'm comfortable with, the job centre where brilliant I have to say

 

[Gordon Bennett]

It might be worth looking on the Conservation Volunteers website (they have just changed their name from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) to see if they have anything available either as paid employment or as a volunteer. A friend of mine started working for them part time as an administrator (a job she was over qualified to do but it fitted in with looking after the kids) and is now a funding manager so its the sort of organisation that once they see what you can do, do seem prepared to help develop your skills.

 

[Worthingite]

sent you a pm, hope you get fixed up soon mate.

 

[Falkor]

sent you a pm, hope you get fixed up soon mate.

Amazing I will do that tomorrow as won't be home yet

 

[alofbrighton]

Hi Falkor,

I went into horticulture around 10 years ago after a 15 year career in the telecoms industry so hopefully can offer some advice. There are some great part time courses out there if time or other commitments are an issue....I strongly recommend you call plumpton college and ask to speak to the head of Hort or make an appt to discuss your options regarding education and the line of work you could get into. There is a great book called starting your own gardening business by Paul Powers if you want to go self employed.....beware though that winter/bad weather can play havoc with your income...it wasnt for me and eventually I gained work with an employer for a steady income. Also start up costs can be high if setting up business with mowers, strimmers,hedge trimmers etc but lots of people make it work for Them just depends on you circumstance. I'm now living and working in south Australia so that's where it can take you! Pm me if you want anymore specific info I'll be happy to help.

 

[Poyetry In Motion]

After years of trying to get on top of my illness I have decided the time has come to get back out in the working world. I do need to be selective and I really want to do gardening landscaping, I have just done my own garden and I loved doing it, it was so good for the mind, and looking back on the job I done gave me a huge boost. I have a feeling I might need to study some courses but I was wondering if anyone on here is in that line of work and can give me some ideas.

Also would be willing to do it on a volunteer basis to gain experience

I suggest trying BTCV ( British Trust for Conservation Volunteers )
I got my diploma in Land management (Plumpton College), through them
It's not exactly landscaping, but they can teach you skills such as hedgelaying, coppicing, bridge building and how to use petrol driven machinery etc

Give me a shout if you want further details

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

Try volunteering at your local cricket club. They always need help tending to their squares and you'll get good experience.

 

[Falkor]

The work i been offered in Lewes is Starting at 7am and 30 Hours a week im a bit worried about going for so many hours at first but will see how it goes.

Just basic ground work really, not 100% got it due to it actually only being open to people on JSA, as im on different benefits its not geared towards me, but not one other person has applied for it, so they contacted the organisation doing the work and they have said if no one on JSA comes forward by Friday they will take me on.

Also been told to look at this site which is amazing Do-it - Volunteering made easy

And will contact a few people tomorrow, thanks for the advice chaps been amazing

 

[brunswick]

set up a website do some awesome leaflets, get your work out there - work for yourself

 

[Falkor]

Been in contact with both Lewes FC and Worthing today, both very positive discussions.

Good stuff

 

[sirtonybloomthankyou]

There was a job advertised on the Directgov/ jobs website for a Gardener in the Portslade area, the business was run from Foredown Drive Portslade may be something for you.

 

[sirtonybloomthankyou]

Evergreen Garden and grounds maintenance Foredown drive portslade hopefully not to late, good luck