Work Crew provides paid, supported employment opportunities to more than 80 people with disabilities in Echuca, Kyabram, Kerang and Swan Hill.
Vivid chief executive Scott Alexander said gardening contracts were a valuable source of skill development and job creation for Work Crew’s supported employees; however, contracts had been limited due to not having the infrastructure to meet demand.
“Acquisition of the ride-on lawn mower enables Vivid to pursue more and varied gardening projects and further advance the skills of Vivid Work Crew members,” Mr Alexander said.
“We are extremely grateful for this generous donation.”
The mower is more ergonomically suitable for supported employees to operate, and it has many features that ensure their safety.
“The mower will be physically less strenuous for the supported employees to use and much easier to operate in the hotter summer conditions,” Mr Alexander said.
The donation means Work Crew is now in a better position to undertake more “boutique” gardening contracts.
In a statement, Vivid said supported employees would have greater job satisfaction and pride in the work they undertook due to the catcher on the mower providing a cleaner finish.
Vivid has received support from Wel.Co over a number of years, with exclusive football tickets provided to participants, allowing them opportunities they may not have otherwise had.
Wel.Co founder and managing director Andrew Welsh said the relationship with Vivid had been built on common values offering equal opportunity to everyone.
“Wel.Co is a dynamic and inclusive organisation and we are thrilled to be able to inspire and deliver dreams to not just our customers but for the supported employees and support workers at Vivid,” Mr Welsh said.
“We are delighted that our donation to Work Crew will assist adults with an intellectual disability in making valuable contributions to their community while learning new skills and challenging themselves in a supportive work setting.”
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