RuffTrack launches LawnLads 'n' Lasses social enterprise

Farmer Dave Graham, who runs the program at his Riverstone farm, said two initiatives kept RuffTrack going during the downturn: collecting cans and mowing lawns.

"Locally our funding was completely wiped-out with coronavirus, and all our sponsors were unable to continue with us, so we have been picking up cans for recycling - that's how we kept the business going - and the young people have also launched LawnLads 'n' Lasses," Farmer Dave said.

LawnLads 'n' Lasses is a social enterprise which involves all 18 young people involved in RuffTrack, providing lawn mowing, clean-up and maintenance services for locals.

"They have been learning to mow lawns, as well as presentation, teamwork, respect, and getting the job done," said Farmer Dave.

"People in the community can sign up for monthly, weekly or one-off lawns and garden clean-ups, and give us tax deductible donations. It's how the community can support RuffTrack."

Farmer Dave said it was important to create a sense of community though RuffTrack endeavours.

"We're really trying to create that village. If you reach out to your neighbours and get more people involved you get benefits."

The young people were responsible for designing the website, the literature and logos for the business, and they use all second-hand mowers that they have learned to repair themselves.

"We want the community to look at our kids not as a pest or annoyance, but as valuable parts of the community," Farmer Dave said.

RuffTrack is a charity that takes on young people (aged 13 to 17 years) who have disengaged with school work and the community and gives them skills, an education and a sense of self worth so they can reconnect with the community.

To book a service from LawnLads'n'Lasses go to rufftrack.com and click on Our Services.