InWork celebrates 30 years of mental health support

The dedicated team at InWork Enterprises Ltd help people get outdoors and start socialising again to improve their mental health and general wellbeing. 

The horticulture and landscaping project runs in conjunction with the Inverclyde Association for Mental Health and currently supports between 25 and 30 service users. 

Project manager Allan Maliska - who has been with InWork for around 27 years and seen many people transform their lives in that time - said:  "We want to give everyone a positive and practical experience. 

"Being outdoors relieves a bit of stress and you can forget about your problems for a while.

"Our service users get a fantastic sense of achievement and take pride in what they've created.

"We've seen some amazing results."

The overall enterprise also operates the Broomhill cafe. 

InWork started life at Lynedoch House back in 1993 before moving to Lynedoch industrial estate and onto Caddlehill. 

The team of 10 staff and the service users they support have been based at Broomhill Gardens and Community Hub for the last five years. 

Referrals to InWork come through Inverclyde's community mental health team and the Scottish Association for Mental Health. 

Allan explains that he and the team look at every service user's skills and capabilities when they arrive at the Broomhill base. 

He added: "Some people start out with no skills at all and become really well-versed in a particular field.

"We have a team of girls with us at the moment who have become expert propagators. 

"It's a lot of responsibility and a lot of work out there in the community. 

"They're representing InWork and meeting people from a lot of different places."

InWork completes commercial contracts across Inverclyde and greater Glasgow, which involve activities including grounds maintenance, grass cutting and hedge trimming. 

At the Broomhill base, some of the tasks include growing seasonal bedding plants, planting seeds for floral displays, taking cuttings, potting up plants, and arranging hanging baskets. 

Allan says all of the work is carried out to a really high standard and reflects the dedication of the service users. 

He says not labelling the workers as 'having mental health issues' is a key element. 

Allan added: "Our vans say horticulture and landscape services, so there's nothing there about people who are living with mental health issues. 

"All of our service users view this as coming to their work. 

"It gives them something to get out of bed for in the morning and they take great pride in what they do."