U-Turn has launched an enterprise that provides jobs while greening our beautiful Mother City – Living Roots!
With an aim to address the skills shortages and lack of employment opportunities in South Africa, especially amongst individuals who live on the streets, Living Roots is a green economy social enterprise managed by formerly homeless people that was recently launched.
“We saw tremendous love during our launch and we thank everyone who came and embraced the concept of Living Roots. Families came out in numbers to spend the day with us and that’s something we don’t take for granted. Ours is to continuously empower our formerly homeless clients through these enterprises”, says Jean-Ray Knighton Fitt, U-Turn CEO.
Going Green
The enterprise promotes habitat conservation throughout Cape Town’s increasingly urbanised landscape as well as creating more awareness on green spaces that can be used to create natural corridors or stepping stones. These patches allow endemic vegetation, birds and insects to cross-pollinate and migrate sustainably despite ongoing urbanisation putting pressure on natural wildlife.
Living Roots’ current environmental projects include the maintenance of endemic communities in Newlands and along the Liesbeeck River, as well as runningthe Greening Kits initiative for local improvement districts to green their urban spaces with endemic plants. On this project they have been working closely with Observatory Improvement District (OBSCID).
The Living Roots team provides other green-fingered services, which include:
- Indigenous Nursery: They grow hardy, water-wise indigenous plants for wholesale to business and members of the public
- Garden Service: Garden design, installation and maintenance for corporates, as well as lawn care, clean-ups, garden refuse removal, composting and pruning.
- Composting: Living Roots encourages the community to drop off their organic waste for composting.
- Greening Packages: Consultations, workshops and training on water-wise indigenous gardening, as well as team-building planting day
Providing a Hand Up
Living Roots is 100% owned by U-turn Homeless Ministries with all profit going to support its work providing a pathway out of homelessness for people in South Africa.The organisation has crafted an innovative skills based programme designed by a multidisciplinary team of social workers, homeless support workers, occupational therapists, counselors, trainers and life coaches.The programme has long term results for rehabilitation and reintegration. Six months after graduating from the programme, more than 80% of participants remain sober and employed.
