Gateways Gardening Star on Sunrise
Gateways Gardening – a business training young men with autism
The Gateways Gardening Team broadened their skills beyond gardening to television when they were visited by Channel 7’s Edwina Bartholomew, as part of a story which went to air on Sunrise this morning.
The Sunrise film crew followed the team on a typical work day as part of a story documenting the role the business plays in supporting people with a disability and autism to gain real life work experience and skills. Gateways Gardening forms part of a range of skill development programs for people with a disability provided by Gateways Support Services.
The day included a visit to Gateways’ Corporate Supporter, Wallington’s WRG to collect gardening supplies, where participants Luke, Michael, Pat and Team Leader, Andy (pictured below) were completely floored by Sunrise’s surprise gift of a Honda SUV donated to the Gateways Gardening program by Honda. Honda has been a long time supporter of Gateways Gardening, providing Honda power products, brush cutters and lawn mowers through the Honda Foundation when the business first began.
Gateways Gardening began as a pilot program in April 2017. It was designed to provide people with a disability the opportunity to be involved in the community and to develop skills which would equip them to get a job and earn their own income. The program has worked so well it will be expanded by Gateways Support Services this year.
When asked about the Gateways Gardening team, Gateways’ CEO, Rosemary Malone said “we’re really thrilled we’re supporting them to be the best they can be and developing their work skills. They’ve done a great job”.
Gateways Gardening operates in the Geelong area and are hoping to expand their client base to include schools and other organisations with large grounds where the team can work together on a job. Services provided include lawn mowing, general gardening, weed control and rubbish removal.
For a quote call Andy on 0418 719 802 or (03) 5221 2984 or email gatewaysgardening@gateways.com.au
Pictured Above: Channel 7’s Edwina Bartholomew with the Gateways Gardening team, Susan Foenander and staff from Wallington’s WRG and Jessica Ware from Honda (far right).
You can check out our Sunrise interview here: Sunrise Interview.
