After being made redundant from a factory job, Stuart Scott, 52, applied for a gardener vacancy in 2023 and has now earned a permanent position on the estates team at Middleton Hall Retirement Village in Middleton St George.
He achieved a Level 2 horticulture operative apprenticeship with distinction, marking a dramatic career shift from previous roles in factory and retail work before his redundancy.
Stuart Scott (left) is now a permanent member of Middleton Hall Retirement Village’s six-strong Estates team (Image: Middleton Hall Retirement Village)
Mr Scott, from Chester-le-Street, said: “I get a big kick from growing things – it’s very satisfying – so I had decided that I wanted to do something that fulfilled me.”
Eager to find work with purpose, he approached the Jobcentre for training and began volunteering with the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust.
Despite having no formal horticultural qualifications, Mr Scott stood out during his interview for a gardener role and was offered the chance to retrain through an apprenticeship.
Stuart Scott and Middleton Hall Retirement Village’s Estates Manager, Bryan Moore (Image: Middleton Hall Retirement Village)
Bryan Moore, estates manager at Middleton Hall, praised Mr Scott’s achievements and commitment.
He said: “This is a huge achievement for Stuart. Taking on an apprenticeship later in life is a big commitment and he has shown exceptional dedication.”
For the past two years, Mr Scott has balanced hands-on experience across the retirement village’s 45-acre estate with day-release study at East Durham College.
He credited his colleagues for helping him succeed, especially with learning the Latin and common names of numerous plants around the grounds.
Middleton Hall Retirement Village is set in a 45-acre estate (Image: Middleton Hall Retirement Village)
Mr Scott said: “I started with no technical knowledge, but with the support here, I felt confident after six months. I now can’t believe I’m actually doing this.”
Now a full member of the six-strong estates team, Mr Scott helps maintain and develop the grounds and gardens at Middleton Hall, which provides independent retirement properties, supported apartments and care services.
This year, the team is working closely with the head chef to increase on-site food growing for the Orangery Bistro and care service dining rooms.
Richard Attwood, finance director at Middleton Hall, said: “At Middleton Hall we are always keen to recruit people who are willing to learn and are hard working. Stuart has proved to be a shining example of this.”
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