THIS is The Horticulture Industry Scheme CIC
an award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise. We are based in Thetford and work with returning citizens (former offenders) or people who have experienced homelessness, mental health challenges or addiction.
THIS provides grounds and garden maintenance services in the area local to Thetford, mostly for local businesses but also for private homes.
Growing opportunities …
Our workforce is made up of returning citizens, people who have experienced homelessness, mental health challenges or addiction. THIS is dedicated to giving them valuable training and employment opportunities. We offer support to our in all the areas that could affect their ability to maintain a job, referring to other organisations if needed. Our friends at the Norfolk School of Gardening deliver Level II qualifications in Practical Horticulture to some of our workforce to develop their skills and knowledge.
- Housing advice
- Training
- Opening bank accounts
- Substance misuse
- Financial difficulties and family relationships
THIS aims to improve each individual’s chances of finding work by providing opportunities to contribute to their local community and demonstrate to the workforce, their families and society that past mistakes do not have to seal their futures. Our vision is that returning citizens will find a place they can contribute and feel safe in society.
Horticulture has long been associated with personal growth and well-being. It is our belief that growth is a steady process that takes dedication.
Our Services
Do get in touch
Social gardens
We are proud to say we won The National Lottery’s People’s Projects competition in Anglia East and have been generously awarded funds to support people who are struggling to manage their gardens because of, for example, underlying health conditions (including mental health challenges); people recovering from surgery or serious illness; key workers who are exhausted; and people with additional learning or physical support needs. We bring a team into the garden and spend a day tidying, clearing weeding, pruning … whatever needs doing. 74 households will benefit from this funding. Thanks to our funders, this service is free of charge.
We are also very grateful to Flagship Housing Group for donating the funds for us to complete twelve further social gardens in East Suffolk. They have generously supported us on many occasions.
Businesses and Factories
THIS undertakes grounds maintenance for businesses and factories in Thetford, Bury St. Edmunds and the surrounding areas.
We do grounds clearance, grass mowing, strimming, slab laying, tidying, weeding, litter picking, spraying (PA1 and PA6 qualified).
Individuals
THIS does garden maintenance for people in the Thetford and Bury St. Edmunds areas.
The over-65s are given a 10% discount on our usual rates.
Our Management
We welcome applications for work placements and volunteers.
Georgina Keatley
Co-founder and CEO
Co-founder and CEO: Georgina has been working with former offenders since 1997. For many years she worked as project manager for the Foundation Training Company (FTC), both in prisons and for their community project in Hackney. She went onto work for the London Borough of Newham doing intensive outreach work with people newly released from prison and their families. She joined Herts Young Homeless, then worked for the Prison Reform Trust, a campaigning organisation, in their advice and information team. She left that role to set up THIS with her former colleague, Tim Melvin. Georgina has a BA and an MA, both from the University of East Anglia, and a teaching qualification. She is a fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs.
Tim Melvin
Co-founder and General Manager
Co-founder and General Manager: Tim worked for the Foundation Training Company, working in prisoner resettlement and then project managing at HMP Edmunds Hill. He joined Nacro where his focus was on securing suitable and sustainable accommodation, along with employment, training and education support for prisoners for prisoners’ release. He became cluster manager, directly managing the housing and employment, training and education teams in several East Anglian prisons. He worked as a taxi driver whilst setting up THIS, before starting to work in prisons he was (to name just a few) a fork lift driver, ice cream man, antique dealer, traveller, research and development chemist and worked on building sites
Sharon Harmer
Director
Sharon was originally Georgina’s mentor on the School for Social Entrepreneur’s Trade Up Course and the whole THIS team found her knowledge and experience so valuable, she was invited to join the Board and we were delighted she did! Sharon is Head of Sourcing, Retail and ITO at Lloyds Bank and brings a wealth of commercial experience.
Thanks to the opportunity I have received, I am aware that I am able to return to work
I have enjoyed everything about THIS. I was in a dark place, but working with THIS has brought me out of my shell and motivated me. I enjoy working and it’s nice to feel part of a team
Donate to THIS
Eventually we plan to be self sustaining as a realistic business model. It is our belief social enterprises will be a big part of the business landscape in the years to come. We can compete with established business models and add a significant element of benefit to communities and excluded groups.
Thank You!
Your assistance helps THIS to work with a greater number of former offenders. We are hugely grateful to all our supporters.
Our supporters and friends
We are immensely grateful to the following for their support
