Employer: Slade Estate Services Ltd

We employ eight people and have been in business since 1987. We provide landscape maintenance services, working mainly in south Oxfordshire. We have a well-established team of gardeners and felt in a position to give a chance (and support, if necessary) to someone from Aspire.

We were delighted when we heard one of their clients was ready to move into the job market. It's fair to say there were many people out there who could have come to us with more skills and qualifications. However, we chose to give a chance to someone who, by strength of character, had worked through his problems and become stronger.

The staff all took to Tom immediately. While his previous troubles were by no means ignored, they did not at any time form the focus of comment or discussion. Sam was keen to learn how we operate and, long before the end of his three-month probation period, he became a fully committed and accepted member of our team.

Making the greatest amount of money has never been the focus of our company – rather, we work to create an enjoyable work environment with a well-motivated workforce. We hope more employers will find out for themselves that ‘doing the right thing’ is immensely satisfying and giving people a chance should be the norm, not the exception.

Employee: Tom, Landscape Maintenance Gardner

Before, my life was in quite a mess, my future was looking bleak. I am very grateful for being given the opportunity to get back into work, which seemed impossible before. Thanks to Aspire and Slade Estate Services, I am now in full-time employment and enjoying all the benefits that come with it.