The Smethwick-based social enterprise, offering a variety of outdoor and garden services to its clients, will be looking after the areas around the 18 neighbourhood offices and property shops of Sandwell Homes.

The maintenance work involves weeding, edging grass, clearing gutters, picking up litter, removing graffiti, tidying car parks and the minor pruning of low tree branches and hedges – and will give more work to the disadvantaged people with and without disabilities that Oscott employs.

“It’s great that we’re able to work in partnership with Sandwell Council and Sandwell Homes,” said Keith Grice, operations manager for Oscott. “Encouraged by Steve Massey [Local Purchasing Coordinator for Sandwell MBC], I found the opportunity through finditinsandwell. It’s very positive what the website is doing, and we’re grateful to have the access to public-sector work with Sandwell Council.”  

Oscott has already secured small annual contracts with Birmingham City Council and Walsall MBC, for maintenance work like mowing, strimming, pruning, hedge-cutting and weeding borders. They have a working relationship with Warley Woods Community Trust [pictured], to carry out maintenance and weekly litter picking.

Their good work in the community includes involvement with the Time 2 Trade project – a national charity which links people locally to exchange time and skills – and they are currently seeking funding to develop training in horticulture for school non-achievers.

Has your business got something to shout about? We’d love to share your good news with the rest of the region. Email julie_dixon@sandwell.gov.uk and tell us all about it!