THERE were smiles all round at a Solihull-based gardening charity as its top boss was handed a prestigious award.
Sarah Forbes, Gro Organic’s chief executive, won the Female Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the second English Women’s Awards.
The awards recognise influential and hardworking women who make significant changes in the industries and regions in which they operate.
Sarah said “I established Gro-Organic nearly a decade ago with the support of the Princes Trust.
“My mission has never changed – to enable the most disadvantaged communities to solve social problems whilst using their resilience and knowledge of their area to bring about positive social change. I am absolutely delighted to have been crowned the winner and it would never have been possible without the dedication of local people who have always supported me and my teams in designing, shaping and leading outstanding community projects from grass roots up.”
Chelmsley Wood-based Gro Organic works with volunteers with mental health and disabilities to transform deprived plots of land into flourishing green spaces across the Midlands.
Gro Organic CIC has worked with thousands of youth offenders and women in refuge across the whole of the West Midlands and Coventry.
The charity’s chief operating officer Michael Forbes and chief executive Sarah Forbes are also in the process of setting up and urban school, which will enable families to enjoy camp fires, foraging and camping in built-up environments.
