Grounds Maintenance Operative

Location:

Denham (covering sites across London)

Salary: A GBP 24,242.40 per annum

Vacancy Type:
Permanent, 6 month contract, subject to extension

Hours:

37 hours per week, Mon :
Thurs 7.30am to 3.30pm and on Fridays 7.30am to 3.00pm

Closing Date: 14th November 2025

The Forward Trust is a leading charity supporting people to achieve recovery, rehabilitation, and employment. We own and operate Blue Sky Services, a social enterprise within our Employment Services Division.

Blue Sky Services delivers grounds maintenance, horticultural, facilities management, and environmental services to local authorities, social landlords, and other partners while providing real job opportunities to people with lived experience, including ex‑offenders, people in recovery, and those unemployed or NEET.

All staff are employed on Forward Trust terms and conditions.

As a Grounds Maintenance Operative, you’ll work outdoors across a variety of sites, supporting your team to:

• Carry out grounds maintenance, landscaping, waste management, house clearance, pest control and other environmental services.
• Safely operate machinery such as strimmers, mowers, and hedge cutters (training and supervision provided).
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, equality, and professionalism on every site.
• Report any incidents, safeguarding concerns, or maintenance issues to your supervisor or manager.

You’ll also help ensure vehicles and equipment are kept clean, safe, and ready for use, and that all documentation is completed accurately.

• Enjoy working outdoors and as part of a team.
• Are reliable, punctual, and willing to start early (7:30am).
• Are happy to work in all weather conditions and take pride in practical, hands‑on work.
• Have an interest in the environment, gardening, or horticulture.

We especially welcome applications from individuals with lived experience, including ex‑offenders, those in recovery, or those who have been unemployed, and encourage applicants who live in the Hillingdon area.

• Able to carry out manual work (training and equipment provided).
• Team player with a positive and adaptable attitude.
• Awareness of health and safety practices and willingness to follow procedures.
• Able to complete basic paperwork, e.g. risk assessments or safety forms.
• Flexible to work additional or unsociable hours if required.

• Full UK driving licence (including up to 3.5 tonne vehicles).
• Previous experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, or horticulture.

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata for part‑time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory pension