Flower Show 2016

Last weekend saw Shrewsbury’s biggest annual event – the Flower Show. Hundreds of visitors come from across the country to pack out the 29 acres of the Quarry in the town centre. The event hosts flower marquees, show gardens, family activities and entertainment.

Enable have worked closely with the Flower Show for over six years to help jobseekers gain paid work experience. This year was no exception! The organisers provided the opportunity for six jobseekers to work on the gate of the show.

The event proved to be a great success for the jobseekers, who were able to develop their skills in many relevant areas such as time keeping, customer service and communication, as well as helping them to build their confidence.

Maelor Owen, Gates Chairman at the show said: “The staff from Enable have worked at the Shrewsbury Flower Show since 2010, supporting and assisting the gate staff at the main gate and at Porthill Bridge. They assist with issuing wristbands to parents for their children and also in hand-stamping those customers leaving wishing to return back to the showground.

They are pleasant, polite and courteous to all customers and assist in helping The Shropshire Horticultural Society in presenting a positive image of the Shrewsbury Flower Show to the thousands of people who attend the event on both days of the Show.

The Society is keen to work with any group of people in supporting their efforts to find employment and working at a high profile event gives the clients the opportunity to sell themselves to prospective employers.”

Natalie Hawkins, Senior Employment Office for Enable’s Learning Disability Team said: “The partnership we have built with Shropshire Horticultural Society over the years is great and we all look forward to the annual event.  The Flower Show provides a fantastic opportunity for our jobseekers as it allows them to build on their skills that they can then apply throughout their individual employment journey.  Enable and the people have supported at the event would like to say a massive thank you to the Shrewsbury Flower Show for their continued support.”