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A qualified horticulturist with 19 years’ experience, and a background in horticultural training and assessing, has been appointed General Manager at GROW Ltd.
Jess Aughton joined the charity two years ago as an Assistant Manager having moved to the island with her family a year earlier.
Mrs Aughton has worked within the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, the National Trust, Commercial Forestry, private estates and as an assessor in horticulture at Reaseheath College in Cheshire. Her extensive experience working with community, education and volunteer groups, involved supporting students from different backgrounds and abilities who burnished their skills in a vocational setting. Jess’s experience in this environment is already proving invaluable at GROW.
Mrs Augton said, ‘Through my background I recognised improvements could be made at GROW for the benefit of the Crew (as attendees are known) and the business. As joint Assistant Manager I worked with the team to expand the range and quality of plants we produce and restructured the way the garden maintenance teams work. These adjustments are creating a better experience for the Crew. They are learning new skills, which in turn is helping them to have a real pride in their work. This leads to more confidence, improved communication skills, a sense of community and a happier and more fulfilled life.’
About her new role she said, ‘When we return to the redeveloped site at the Coutanchez I aim to build on our hard work and broaden the range of skills training we can offer the Crew. New facilities will include hospitality and retail training centres, a fully equipped, workshop and craft room where we can provide training in a range of occupational skills. We are also upskilling our supervisors to provide vocational training, enabling the Crew to gain in-house and recognised qualifications that will help those who are able to move into employment,’ she said.
Mrs Aughton works closely with the charity’s corporate partners and the wider business community to both foster links and raise funds towards the £400,000 annual operating costs which are necessary to ensure GROW’s ongoing operation. ‘We very much appreciate the support we receive from businesses - whether financial, pro bono or through discounted product or services and we aim always to recognise their support,’ she said.
Mark Dunster, Chair of GROW Ltd said, ‘We are delighted that Jess has accepted the role of General Manager. Her strong horticultural background and empathy with our Crew, coupled with her sound business sense and vision for GROW, will provide strong leadership as we prepare to move to our modern, purpose-built facilities at the Coutanchez site next Spring, and into the future. ‘
This is a very exciting time in GROW’s almost 40 year history as we redevelop our site to provide extensive training opportunities for people with learning disabilities for the next 40 years and beyond. As a board we very much appreciate the dedication, enthusiasm and skills of the whole team at GROW who, working together, are providing life-changing opportunities for the Crew.’
