GREEN-FINGERED youngsters are climbing high at an urban farm where they are learning vital skills to get back into work.

As youth unemployment reached one million last month, Cultivate London is helping young people, aged 16 to 24 in Ealing and Hounslow, off the sofa and into the garden to learn how to grow herbs and vegetables.

The farming project launched in March with a £250,000 start-up loan from Pathways, (formerly Ealing and Brentford Consolidated Charity) based in West Ealing, and money from the Mayor of London’s Capital Growth fund.

They now have two sites in Isleworth including a piece of land from the National Trust.

Sean Connor is one of two apprentices working with Cultivate towards a diploma in horticulture at Caple Manor College, in Gunnersbury Park. The 20-year-old, of Hammersmith, joined in March after failing to find work for two years at the Job Centre.

“It’ll definitely help me get a job in the future, based on the skills I’m learning, the team building and learning how to grow herbs and vegetable,” he said.

“There’s still no work out there, it’s very hard for anyone my age to get a job.

“I want to keep doing this. I like seeing the end result of my hard work growing every day.”

Founder Leah McPherson said her years at Ealing Council gave her an insight into deprived areas of the borough and the help young people need to get into work.

“We’ve got young men who’ve never worked before in their lives. This is making a massive difference and really changing their lives,” she said.

“It gives them confidence to interact with different people which is an important part of getting a job. We get them learning new skills and not just sitting on the couch.”

Cultivate London has two apprentices and 10 trainees supported by head grower Ben Simpkins and a team of community volunteers.

They help construct sheds and poly-tunnels to grow the crops which they then sell locally, such as West Ealing Farmer’s Market and Brentford Festival.

Cultivate take on 10 new trainees each spring. To register your interest visit www.cultivatelondon.org.