Learning And Development Enterprise Is Cleaning The Way To A Better Future

Published on: 16 Dec, 2017
Updated on: 17 Dec, 2017

By Louisa Magnussen

It began with a broom, a shovel and a trolley when Guildford Learning and Development Enterprise (GLADE) was launched.

Street cleansing managers Steve and Aaron.

Now, along with keeping the streets of Park Barn and Westborough clean, the initiative provides training, skills and work opportunities for jobseekers, young people and those disadvantaged through illness or mental health problems.

From its inception in 2014, GLADE has been run from The Guildford Bike Project at 109 Southway, Westborough, where free courses are offered in amenity horticulture, confidence for work, office IT and numeracy to 16- to 24-year-olds.

The manager of the GLADE project, Dave Pascoe, said: “We are there to support people from start to finish.”

GLADE also provides volunteering opportunities to residents who, alongside managers Steve and Aaron, can help keep the streets clean and grounds maintained, bypassing the need for council intervention.

GLADE also helps maintain the green spaces in the area. Grounds maintenance team manager Steve Payne said: “I’m passionate about conservation and the environment and would like to make the woods around here a conservation area for kids.”

Steve has also received the Mayor of Guildford’s Access Award for his services as a direct result of a nomination from residents of St Martha’s Court sheltered housing in Chilworth.

One of GLADE’s priorities is to change for good misconceptions about Park Barn and Westborough. Mr Pascoe said: “If there is a lot of litter a place looks neglected. Park Barn has a bad reputation for that in the past, but now its streets are clean.”

500kg of waste is removed each week.

Steve and Aaron remove 500kg of waste from the area every week that includes street litter, emptying street litter bins and, when it occurs, fly-tipped waste.

GLADE is part of a larger community and works in partnership with Guildford YMCA, Oakleaf Enterprise and Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership.

As a result of the three years GLADE has been in operation:

• 33 local residents have completed an amenity horticulture course
• 27 have completed confidence building courses
• 12 have achieved City & Guilds online basics (basic IT) Level 2 qualification
• 6 have completed an HABC Level 2 course in food safety
• 16 have completed an emergency first-aid course
• 14 have completed City & Guilds Level 1 cycle mechanics courses
• 6 have undertaken Moneywise numeracy courses

GLADE notes that as a result of engagement with the project, three Park Barn area residents have been employed on the GLADE street cleansing team and a traineeship which provides a recognised route to employment and further skills is currently being piloted.

The GLADE logo on its lorry.

After completion of each course all learners are referred to a learning and support advisor for employment support and advice.

Having just secured the street cleaning contract from Guildford Borough Council for another four years, GLADE wants to encourage people to take authority of their ‘own patch’ by volunteering to help Steve and Aaron keep the streets clean.

To get involved with GLADE, email Dave Pascoe: dpascoe@surreyllp.org.uk or telephone 01483 481789.

To report litter/fly tipping in the Westborough ward, contact Guildford Borough Council on 01483 5054050. It will then liaise with GLADE to have it removed.

To make enquiries regarding GLADE’s traineeships, email John Thurlow at jthurlow@surreyllp.org.uk

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