A perfect partnership
Earlier this month, GEL were delighted to be awarded ’employer of the year’ by Springhallow Post-16.
Springhallow is an Ealing Local Authority maintained school for pupils aged 4-19 years with a diagnosis of Autism and a wide range of learning abilities. The school’s post-16 site offers tailored pathways to their students to encourage independence and fulfilment as they become young adults.
Our ongoing relationship
We have a longstanding relationship with the school, which has been fostered by John Carpenter, Greener Ealing’s grounds maintenance supervisor, and Katie Morley, deputy head of Springhallow.
It started in 2021 when we helped to renovate Springhallow’s outside areas and creating a communal garden, including a sensory area, compost area and several raised vegetable beds made from sleepers. We donated funds for tools as well as gardening equipment, materials, manpower and machinery for all of the above. We attended a mentor day and our grounds maintenance team took a student for work experience for three days.
Preparing Greener Ealing employees of the future
This year the relationship is stronger than ever. Three Greener Ealing employees attended the mentoring day in June along with other local and big business to help prepare students for work experience.
Following this, two students joined Greener Ealing ground maintenance crews for four days, working on shrubs and playground repairs and inspections. We hosted a larger group of students in Ravenor Park where they helped top up conservation paths with mulch.
We also supported the college’s open day where local businesses and similar schools attended. In preparation, we gave the garden a tidy up and added another raised bed and stag beetle pit.
Springhallow values
GEL supports Springhallow because it’s a fantastic place, Katie and her team have created a positive learning environment and have high expectations of their students’ future.
Katie said: “Many employers have supported the college this year, so we have been incredibly fortunate. However, it was noticeable how Greener Ealing went that extra mile in terms of the college maintenance, mentoring day, work experience week (individual as well as group work) as well as the community day – so we were delighted to present Greener Ealing with the award!”
What a positive story of two organisations in the borough working so well together.