The social enterprise provides work training for unemployed young people. It takes on parcels of land that are derelict or set to be redeveloped, and transforms them into productive spaces for growing food.

It is chaired by former Xerox marketing and communications manager David Millican.

Brentford-based large-format print specialist Octink has supported the Cultivate London initiative for a number of years, and has produced signage and other printed materials for the venture. Managing director Mike Freely is a trustee.

“We support it because it’s all about transitioning youth into employment, especially ‘NEETS’,” Freely said.

“Cultivate London aims to get them to be employment ready for businesses like ours. We’ve had three people come into the business through the scheme.”

NEETS are young people who are no longer in education and are not employed or in training.

The new Acton site is the size of a football pitch, and Cultivate London will have use of the land for three years. It is part of the Acton Gardens project being developed by Countryside Properties, an Octink client.

“I’m sure we’re not alone, in that it’s not always easy to find good people. So why not give a young person a chance?” Freely added.

Fast-growing Octink has benefited from the London property development boom, as its services include the production of associated branded hoardings and marketing suites.

The firm is an Investor in People and its work with the local community has been recognised with the award of Business in the Community’s CommunityMark. It employs 114 staff and is projecting sales of £17m this year.

Picture shows, left to right: Adrienne Attorp, general manager, Cultivate London; Mike Freely, managing director, Octink; Bianca Goulden, senior regeneration manager, L&Q, David Millican, chair of Cultivate London’s board; Lee Jones, senior construction manager, Countryside Properties; Andrew Owusu, Countryside Properties and Darrell Bennett, Cultivate London apprentice