Albie's growing opportunities for inclusion

Our Operations Manager, Albie Grove oversees the maintenance of a range of residential, community and commercial green spaces across southern and northern Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills

In overseeing the landscape maintenance of properties, Albie ensures they are maintained to the highest standards. His passion extends beyond the meticulous care of each space; it lies in his deep commitment to creating opportunities for people with disability and other barriers to employment.

As a Bedford-backed social enterprise, we believe in social change through meaningful employment, aiming to employ at least 20% of our landscaping construction and maintenance workforce as people who face barriers to employment, including disability. For Albie, this mission is not just a target; it’s a calling that he embraces every day.

Albie’s approach to management is grounded in empathy and understanding. “It’s not just about the job; it’s about creating a work environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully,” Albie explains. This philosophy permeates every aspect of his work and the culture he fosters within GreenInc.

Many of the team members have years of experience in horticultural maintenance or hold qualifications in horticulture. Their expertise is invaluable, and their commitment to delivering exceptional results is evident in every landscape maintenance job they undertake. Albie’s team members have a diversity of experience and backgrounds and this is the foundation of GreenInc's success.

As we celebrate Albie's unwavering dedication to both exceptional green spaces and an inclusive workforce, we are reminded that true success lies not just in the beauty of the landscapes we maintain, but in the diversity of the people who shape them. Albie and his teams are breaking barriers, both in the landscape construction industry and in society, by proving that inclusion and excellence can go hand in hand.

Albie’s work is not just about maintaining beautiful landscapes; it’s about creating a powerful social impact. Each day, as his teams work to transform green spaces across Adelaide, they are also transforming their own lives, as well as their communities. Through their dedication and hard work, they not only contribute to the beauty of the environment but also become a part of a larger social movement aimed at breaking down the barriers that people with disability often face in the workforce. The spin off effects of their employment in the broader community are numerous, including increased tax payments and decreased NDIS funding payments. 

Lynton, pictured below, is an example of someone who moved from supported employment in Bedford's APG garden maintenance business to open employment in GreenInc. He is thriving in his role and has big goals he wants to achieve in the future. Through the opportunities provided by GreenInc, Lynton, along with many other colleagues, have the chance to grow, gain confidence, and secure a stable future. Read more about Lynton's story here. 

By offering meaningful opportunities to individuals who have faced significant barriers to employment, Albie and GreenInc are making a lasting impact on both the social and environmental landscape. Through their work, they demonstrate that when people are given the chance to succeed, the results can be transformative—not just for the individuals, but for the entire community.

Overseeing his team of all abilities, Albie is responsible for all aspects of landscape maintenance at several sites, including residential developments, council parks and gardens and commercial properties. This includes turf maintenance and management, soil treatments and fertilisers, plant maintenance and irrigation maintenance. 

Read more about what our landscape maintenance team does here.

Looking ahead, Albie is excited for the future of GreenInc. 

“The people who work at GreenInc inspire me every day,” Albie reflects. “Seeing their growth, their pride in their work, and knowing that we’re making a difference in their lives—there’s no greater motivation for me. It’s a privilege to see their growth, their success, and to know that the opportunities we provide are making a real difference in their lives". 

As we continue to grow, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing employment for people with disability and those facing other barriers to employment. We envision a future where every individual, regardless of their challenges, can find meaningful work and contribute to society in their own unique way, should they choose. This is part of Bedford's mission to provide pathways, jobs and opportunities.

We believe in the power of inclusion and, when given pathways and opportunities, people with disability can not only thrive in the workforce—they can help transform industries and communities for the better.