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Hillcrest

The Green Shoots of Recovery

Coaxing someone back to mental well-being is a gratifying feeling that can make efforts seem worthwhile to those concerned. Foster Leighton is proud to have been recently involved in just such a project. Hillcrest Branch Ltd is a new start-up social enterprise company formed this year by Grace Michaels to provide contract gardening services, giving people with mental health issues the chance of paid employment.

Grace was born in Devon and trained as a Horticulturist. She joined Hillcrest Branch when it was an offshoot of Devon Partnership NHS Trust’s vocational rehabilitation service. Grace took up the post in September 2007. At that time Hillcrest employed people from the Trust’s New Leaf vocational rehabilitation service and was part of the NHS. As part of the NHS they carried no insurance coverage. Early in 2008, it was decided that Hillcrest should be floated off as an independent stand-alone company, which is where Grace’s problems began. As well as all the usual detail involved in setting up new company, she found that Insurance Companies were decidedly disinterested in providing the vital liability insurance the fledgling business would need, because of the nature of the perceived risks involved. This is where Foster Leighton was able to assist. We put together an in-depth profile of the new venture then, using our contacts and expertise in placement of insurance for charities and other not-for-profit organisations, we approached some specialist insurers who were able to provide precisely the cover that Grace needed to match her risk exposures.

“I came to this a gardener, knowing nothing about social enterprises or social firms” says Grace. “It’s a huge challenge managing something which isn’t a standard business”. Happily, Foster Leighton were able to remove one major obstacle in getting the project off the ground, and we are pleased to report that the firm is now employing 4 supported staff and providing 10 volunteer training placements each week through a contract with Devon County Council. Furthermore it is seen as a shining example and a blueprint for other Primary Care Trusts, and similar schemes will be rolled out across NHS regions nationwide over the next few years. Foster Leighton hope to able to help a few more of them.

Final word to Grace, “I think running Hillcrest Branch independently is going to be a tight balancing act , but I believe we can do it without grants and funds” Congratulations and best wishes for the future from everyone at Foster Leighton. We hope the business goes from strength to strength, and that we continue to be part of the success story.

For more information visit the Hillcrest website: http://www.hillcrestbranch.com

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