An award ceremony was held to recognise the horticultural achievements of adults with learning difficulties.

The Shaw Trust enterprise charity based in Clamp Hill, Stanmore hosted the event on Wednesday last week (September 24) to present the project’s service users with certificates recognising their achievements and the progress they have made to gain key skills for the job market.

Shaw Trust Enterprises is a run by Shaw Trust which delivers training and real life working experience in a horticultural setting for adults with learning difficulties.

Lee Emery, 40, from Willesden was one of the service users who was awarded a certificate by Harrow East MP, Bob Blackman.

Lee is an ex-offender who endured long periods of homelessness and struggled with addiction, he was referred to the Shaw Trust, they recognised Lee’s potential as a gardener and enrolled him on a horticultural training course. Having successfully completed his training, Lee was presented with a City and Guilds certificate during the awards ceremony.

He said: “My time with Shaw Trust has been fantastic. I have learned so much, gaining invaluable experience and skills that will change my life for the better. Thanks to Shaw Trust, I am now well equipped to find work, provide for myself and take control of my life.”

The Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Ajay Maru, Deputy Leader of Harrow Council, Councillor Keith Ferry and ward Councillors, Pritesh Patel and Stephen Greek, also took part in the awards ceremony.

Mr Blackman said: “Shaw Trust has developed a ground-breaking horticultural project that helps disabled and disadvantaged members of the local community to embark on truly fulfilling careers. We need more local businesses and organisations to partner with the charity’s social enterprise so that more people from Harrow can be offered support and training for future careers.”