SOSE teams up with two local charities for maintenance work contract

SOSE teams up with two local charities for maintenance work contract

South of Scotland Enterprise has awarded landscape maintenance contracts to two South of Scotland social enterprises that provide work experience for those with disabilities.

After a successful tender process, the Borders Green Team and Dumfries and Galloway Care Trust were both awarded the three-year contracts.

The agreements, which last until 2025, see the charities committed to carrying out landscaping services across SOSE offices in Selkirk and Dumfries. 

Who is The Borders Green Team?

  • The Borders Green Team is based in Hawick and offers provide pre-employment training for individuals with learning and physical disabilities. 
  • A trainer supervises all the work but the trainees themselves carry out the tasks required by the customer allowing them to develop their skills on the job.
  • The team carry out a range of garden services and supply handmade wooden products for both private clients and public sector. 
  • The work carried out by the Green Team covers a number of locations throughout the Scottish Borders.

Who is Dumfries and Galloway Care Trust?

  • Dumfries and Galloway Care Trust is based in Dumfries and provides supported real life work placements for adults 16+ with learning disabilities/autism.
  • Their focus is on providing working experiences through gardening work and woodwork projects. 
  • They offer a range of garden services and fencing work for private clients and public sector, with all of the profits reinvested into the charity. 
  • The Trust carries out work across a number of locations in Dumfries and Galloway, with their main area being Dumfries. 

Both contracts tie into SOSE’s Fair Work commitment, to give everyone ‘an effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment, and respect’.

Darren Johnstone, SOSE’s Facilities and Office Services Manager, said:

“SOSE is delighted to have secured the services of both the Green Team and Dumfries and Galloway Care Trust to help maintain our properties.

“As the region’s economic and community development agency, it is important to us that we use local services where possible and this agreement allows us to work with two social enterprises doing great work in the South of Scotland.”

Davy Amos, Supervisor, Borders Green Team said:

“The Green Team are absolutely delighted to have been chosen to work for and with the SOSE in Selkirk. Our service users love to be out and about meeting different people when working. 

“The team is strengthened and cheered by the support of organisations such as SOSE having faith in them to carry out the work they are contracted to do.”

Trisha McWilliam, Manager, Dumfries and Galloway Care Trust said:

“The Care Trust was delighted to have been awarded the three year contract with South of Scotland Enterprise. It is testament to the fantastic work that is carried out by everyone at The Care Trust.

“The funding that has been secured through this contract will be beneficial in the future development of the project.

“The new contract has provided us with an opportunity to offer additional learning and training through the varied work within the different sites for the benefit of all our attendees.”