✓ Advise ✓ Design ✓ Build ✓ Maintain ✓ Renew
48 Weyview Crescent
0300 303 8616
Mon-Fri: 07:30 - 16:00
12 Nov 2024
WGS work with Care Homes in the Dorset Area

Care Homes in Dorset

Care homes are wonderful places that offer various services and support tailored to the needs of their residents. It’s interesting to see how these services can differ from one care home to another!

At the core, care homes provide essential services such as personal care, nutritious meals, hydration, medication management, engaging social activities, and maintaining cleanliness. They ensure that residents and staff have everything they need to feel comfortable and cared for.

Here at Wessex Grounds Services, we understand the heart of care homes. With over 10 years of experience working alongside care home providers in the Dorset area, we know what it takes to make these spaces thrive.

Our skilled local teams are ready to help with a range of gardening and landscaping services, including both hard and soft landscaping, fencing, tree care and patio cleaning. We’re also happy to assist with building sheds, shelters, gazebos, and pergolas. If you’re interested in designing or constructing sensory gardens, please don’t hesitate to reach out! One of our specialities in recent years has been creating beautiful raised sleeper beds.

With depots located throughout Dorset, WGS is here to ensure that all boundaries are secure. We are always prepared to respond quickly to any bad weather or situations that might affect those boundaries.

You can rest easy knowing that our staff hold valid DBS certifications and that we are Safe Contractor accredited. Let’s work together to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone!

You can contact us on 0300 303 8616 or email – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

02 Aug 2024
WGS Staff taking/renewing their CSCS cards

Getting Qualified – CSCS

Wessex Grounds Services were delighted to put 9 of our employees including our Managing Director Stephen Harris and our Supervisors on the Health, Safety and Awareness Training programme on Tuesday the 30th July 2024 to gain certification/update their Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards (CSCS).

The CSCS scheme aims to ensure that candidates know a wide range of topics regarding safety and productivity on sites. Having a valid CSCS card shows employers and clients alike that they can carry out jobs safely.

We were pleased to work with Koplant Construction Training and would also like to give a big thank you to Pete Tewson from Kingston Maurward College, a Construction Teacher for putting us in touch with Koplant. This has meant that WGS were able to get 9 staff members through their CSCS Cards. We are thankful to have been able to use the construction department facilities at Kingston Maurward College to run the training session.

Health and Safety are paramount here at Wessex Grounds Services for all job roles, and ensuring we have up-to-date CSCS cards is essential for those working in the landscaping/construction environment.

We are proud to say that they all passed despite it being on one of the hottest days of the year. If you are looking for a commerical landscaping project to be completed by a professional company or require any grounds maintenance then please be sure to contact us by email  – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk or call us on 0300 303 8616. We look forward to hearing from you.

WGS Staff taking/renewing their CSCS cards

From left to right

Ollie Moore (Landscaper), Tristan Park (Grounds Maintenance Supervisor West), Mark Parfett (Landscaper), Jason Hardyman-Richards (Landscaper), Graeme Mitchely (Grounds Maintenance Supervisor East), Ian Simpson (Grounds Maintenance Operative), Paul Smith (Workshop Technician/Grounds Maintenance Operative), Pete Tewson (KMC Construction Teacher), Ben Elsbury (Team Leader Grounds Maintenance East), Cliff Caswell (KMC H&S Tutor), Stephen Harris (Managing Director)

27 Apr 2023
WGS celebrates 10 years

10 years & celebrating!

Celebrating 10 years in business banner WGS
WGS celebrates 10 years

WGS Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Welcome to Spring 2023 where we celebrate 10 years of trading this year. A BIG THANK YOU to all our customers for their fantastic support over the years, we wouldn’t be here without you.

Westfield Landscaping Projects

Pennsylvania Castle and Clifftops

Pennsylvania Castle and Clifftops maintained by WGS
Recent Projects by WGS
WGS Team

“They always do a superb job and are so friendly and helpful—a real asset to the company” Broadmayne School

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“A big thank you to you all for your support but especially to our man who comes to cut our grass. He is a superstar and always avoids the show times, gets on with what he needs to do, and is respectful of all our animals, especially the sheep (who are great escape artists at the best of times). He shuts all the gates and never stops for a cup of tea although we do always offer him one. He knows exactly how Martin likes the site to be cut and leaves the wild strips as requested. He is a real asset to your company. Thank you again”

Xtreme Falconry

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Contact WGS

20 Apr 2023
Wessex Grounds Services celebrate 10 years in business.

It’s been 10 years …

It’s been 10 years … Wessex Grounds Services are celebrating our 10th anniversary.

Conceived back in 2013

Starting with the very beginning of our story, imagine the idea of Wessex Grounds Services being born from a discussion over a coffee.  I, Stephen Harris, was obviously over 10 years younger then and decided that it could work and that I wanted to take that leap of faith.

The realisation, OMG I’m starting a business!

First things first was the business plan for the bank to secure some initial funding. After giving the bank the hard sell, the next step was setting up the company with Companies House to make it official. Then came finding a site and obtaining essential equipment. The company started with me and two other employees, Mark Parfett and Iain Hewitt  (Mark is still with us).  Now we needed to start to generate leads and obtain work. I will always remember our first two clients, The Sir John Colfox School and The Duchy of Cornwall (we are still working for both)

The bit between that moment and now is a long story, full of lessons learned, successes and failures. I’m delighted to say there are many more successes than failures! One of the biggest hurdles for our company to overcome was the one thing that we could never have even imagined – Covid 19.

A big ‘Thank You’

Whilst I was thinking about this article, I knew I wanted to thank everyone who has, at various stages in Wessex Grounds Services history, played an important role.

So here is a massive ‘Thank You’ to Wessex Grounds Services staff past and present. We have a very professional team and we wouldn’t be the company we are today without your effort and drive. To those that have moved on to new ventures, we hope your journey is going well and thank you for your contribution.

Our clients – by far too many to list – I would like to thank you on behalf of Wessex Grounds Services for allowing us to innovate and deliver our services to you.

Wessex Grounds Services is a company I am immensely proud of, not just for the business but also the people. We have grown from 3 employees to currently a team of approximately 30 people operating out of 3 strategically placed depots and from minimal equipment to a fleet of tractors, vans, excavators, mowers and other assorted items of equipment, a few of which can be seen below.  I am also very pleased that we have been able assemble a first class landscaping and tree care team, to compliment our excellent grounds maintenance teams.

There is so much to our company today that it is impossible to sum it all up in one article, but if you should require our services in landscape design, grounds maintenance, consultancy or horticulture then please do get in touch – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

I will leave with this simple sign-off: here’s to the next 10 years, we are looking forward to the challenges and achieving even greater goals.

Stephen Harris – Wessex Grounds Services

20 Apr 2022
Landscape Manager Vacancy

New Position Available At Wessex Grounds Services – Landscape Manager

Landscape Manager

£34,000 – £40,000 a year – Full-time

We have seen exponential growth over the last 3 years and we now need a full-time Landscape Manager to head up our Landscaping Division.

This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to develop their career within a flexible and progressive independent company, based in Dorset.

You will lead a team of up to 10 landscapers mainly within the Dorset area.

Your focus will be mainly on commercial landscaping projects ranging typically from 5K – 100K in size. The ability to carry out accurate site surveys and estimates, manage projects with accurate cost control is essential.

The landscaping team work from our depot at Milborne St Andrew, which is our storage facility for our equipment/trailers etc however, the projects are all over Dorset, and sometimes further afield (ie Hampshire/Somerset).

If you would like an informal discussion about this exciting position, please contact Stephen Harris, MD and owner of WGS on 07870 976800.

Job Description

Benefits: Works vehicle provided and Company NEST pension scheme

Wessex Grounds Services Ltd is an ambitious organisation providing grounds maintenance services across Dorset, South Somerset, South Wiltshire & East Devon and landscaping and safety surfacing throughout the South West.

Key responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Managing Director, this role is to manage landscaping projects at our customer’s sites. The type of work includes Synthetic Surfacing, Hard Landscaping, Soft

Landscaping, Fencing, large planting schemes. The Manager is a role model for WGS and needs to behave accordingly, adopting a positive attitude to his/her work and WGS at all times.

Duties involve

  • Under the Managing Director’s instruction lead on various landscaping projects.
  • Estimating, programming of works, site surveying, project management
  • Supervise teams of employees on a daily basis, identifying workloads and allocating tasks, ensuring work standards are maintained, and ensuring areas are left secure and barriers/gates locked.
  • Induct/train new members of staff to ensure they are trained to correct standards for the work undertaken and machinery used.
  • Liaise with the Management team to ensure the smooth running of projects across the company and communicate with Grounds Maintenance Manager effectively when work crosses over the different operational areas
  • Responsible for frontline discipline including productivity and timekeeping.
  • Responsible for the quality of service within his/her area of operation.
  • Ability to pass on experience and knowledge and educate your team.
  • Assisting the Managing Director in actively seeking new clients and contracts, working on estimates, quotations, and maintenance costs for prospective works.
  • Responsibility for ensuring depots are kept safe and in good order.
  • Ensure and promote the correct use and operation of machinery and equipment.
  • Ensure Health and Safety requirements are adhered to, and the correct PPE is used for each task.
  • Driving and operating a wide range of vehicles and equipment.
  • Safely use, maintain, and clean equipment including hand tools and any other machinery required to undertake allocated tasks
  • Compliance with all relevant legislation and in particular the control of Vibration at Works

Regulations 2005 and PUWER Regulations 1998.

  • Install/maintain artificial sports areas.
  • Oversee horticultural operations such as planting, pruning and maintenance of trees, shrubs and other gardening tasks as required.
  • Work in a tidy and safe manner so as not to put oneself or others at risk.
  • Follow company and customer policies.
  • Always portray a professional image of WGS.
  • Lead the team on the importance of excellent customer service.
  • Timely completion of company paperwork and documentation, including signing off timesheets and conducting staff reviews and appraisals.
  • Attend staff training when required.
  • Excellent customer relationship skills.
  • Undertake other duties that are required by the business.

Physical Effort and Working Environment

This role involves travelling, flexibility with working hours is essential, using powered tools on a daily basis, digging, planting, ride-on mowers, unloading and loading equipment/tools/materials. The work is outdoors all year round, and work will take place in all weather. Personal protective equipment will be provided.

Personal Specification

Skills/Experience Essential/Desirable

Able to lead and motivate a team of landscapers, min 3 years of supervisory experience

Able to organise work to meet quality standards and deadlines

Experience of site surveying and setting out levels to a high standard

Experience of undertaking hard and soft landscaping work, min 3 years’ experience

Health and Safety Qualification

Recent estimating experience in commercial landscaping work

NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Landscaping

PA1 & PA6 Spraying Certificate

Chainsaw certificate

Trailer license

Can work on your own and as part of a team

Ability to train/mentor staff in hard and soft landscaping

Excavator/dumper experience/certificate

Can use your own initiative, be self-motivated and adaptable

Experience of tree work

Experience of synthetic carpeting

Experience of fencing

An understanding of commercial landscaping plant and their maintenance requirements

Full valid Driving Licence, to transport employees and equipment to various sites

Excellent customer relationship skills

Undertake risk assessments

Project Management Experience

Office skills i.e., word and excel

Please note that this role will need an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check due to working within the school environment.

Benefits:

  • Company car
  • Company pension

Schedule:

  • 8-hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

  • Milborne Saint Andrew, DT11 0HZ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Experience:

  • Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping Occupations: 3 years (preferred)
  • Management/Supervisory: 3 years (preferred)

Apply on Indeed – Reference ID: Landscape Manager – https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=Wessex%20Grounds%20Services&l&vjk=66a68eef43c62d90