genU’s Landcare team is a cut above when it comes to maintaining large grounds.
genU understands how keeping up good appearances is a must for any business that wants to demonstrate its professionalism. That’s why pristine grounds make such a vital first impression for customers and the public.
Barwon Health gets landcare TLC from genU, thanks to a dedicated genU Grounds Maintenance team of 30 supported employees, overseen by a manager, assistant manager and supervisors.
With 21 sites to take care of across Geelong, the team works five days a week to keep the grounds looking in top condition.
This work gets noticed by the community and is appreciated, according to Neville, a supervisor within the genU Grounds Maintenance team.
Neville started with genU in September 2022 as a supported employee and after impressing his manager was offered a supervisor’s role.
This significant achievement to gain open employment is in part due to the environment that has helped Neville thrive and throwing himself into the role helping care for the grounds at Barwon Health.
It was a proud moment and recognition for his efforts and abilities when he was approached with the promotion offer.
“They [genU] were very supportive when I started as a supported employee … and basically after seeing what I was capable of doing, they offered me the role,” he said.
Neville continues to enjoy all his tasks and any chance to use his hands, as well as supervise his Ground Maintenance team members.
Generally on-site five days a fortnight, Neville and his colleagues never experience a dull day. And of all the Barwon Health sites, the McKellar Centre is his favourite due to the variety of work – whether its mowing, weeding, poisoning, edging, or hedge trimming.
“The best part is being outside in the air using all the skills I need for grounds maintenance – there’s always something to do,” he said.
He said it’s nice to receive regular positive comments from Barwon Health staff and customers alike, who praise the grounds maintenance team on the state of the grounds.
“They’re lovely people out here, and a lot of them stop and say ‘Hi, how are you? You’re doing a good job’,” he said.
Another important aspect of the work is adhering to safety protocols, Neville said, which is paramount and something the team takes pride in at all times, ensuring they have the correct signs out and wear PPE.
“We always have to be mindful to stop our work when people are walking past or cars are driving by,” he said.
“We also need to be careful when we’re brushcutting that we don’t flick stones up and hit windows.”
genU CEO Clare Amies said the scope of work maintaining Barwon Health’s grounds provides vital upskilling and capacity building for supported employees that is unattainable in other environments.
“These customer-facing sites are ideal to help our team learn specialised skills, how to work autonomously and in a team, and use a variety of equipment needed to complete the scope of work the Barwon Health’s grounds require,” Ms Amies said.
Ms Amies said another benefit of the Barwon Health grounds maintenance work was undertaking garden bed beautification works.
“We source all the plants from our genU Community Nursery in South Geelong – these plants are native to our region, collected and propagated by our nursery staff and supported employees,” she said.
Ms Amies said the partnership was not only keeping Barwon Health’s grounds in good health but also creating an important social impact for people with disability wanting employment.
“We see how people like Neville thrive in the right environment and can channel their passions into meaningful work that helps them make a positive contribution,” she said.
“Knowing the Barwon Health community appreciates the hard work and dedication of our grounds maintenance team is an example of how genU is building genuinely inclusive communities.”
If you have large grounds that need maintaining in a variety of ways, you can find out more here.
Did you know?
- On average, genU mows about 35km of lawn at Barwon Health sites every day.
- genU maintains 2 acres of garden beds for Barwon Health.
- Ground maintenance team works 320 hours a week or 16,640 a year.
- 200 litres of fuel for mowers, ride-ons, brushcutters, pole saws, hedge trimmers and blowers.