Ben
Market Garden Development Officer
Age - 20
After finishing school during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ben struggled to kickstart his career due to the lockdown restrictions in place. So when the trainee role at the Ecology Centre became available through the New to Nature programme, Ben was eager to get involved.
As the Market Garden Development Officer, Ben got to fulfil his passion for gardening and gain the experience he needed to build his career.
In his role, Ben got to work outdoors doing a variety of tasks focused on growing food and supporting volunteers. He gained transferable and practical skills, whilst making a positive impact on the natural environment and local community.
He was particularly interested in learning how to grow food in a way that was good for the environment and for people, enabling him to produce his own food and be healthier.
“What I’m enjoying most is I’ve not been doing the same thing at any point! We made a bean frame from one side of the garden to the other. It’s just putting bits of wood together but even still, it’s satisfying to see every time I come into the garden and go ‘I’ve built that’.”
New to Nature is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation, delivered through a partnership of Groundwork, The King’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, Mission Diverse and the Youth Environmental Service.
