Head florist Nicola Menzies of Bloom Florists, part of Recovery Connections Enterprises Since Middlesbrough charity Recovery Connections took over The Fork in the Road in October 2019, their enterprise has gone from strength to strength.

As well as turning the Linthorpe Road eatery into a popular daytime café , launching 131 The Venue, formerly Bar Zero, into a licensed space for hire and running a café within The Stages Academy called The Fork in the Road – Stage One, they have now launched their latest venture: a florist.

And although the coronavirus outbreak has postponed the opening of the physical shop for now, Bloom Florists successfully launched online at the beginning of May.

"Floristry is a unique skill set and it’s something a bit different", marketing and communications officer Emily Davies said previously.

Recovery Connections work to bring people together while building real life skills to tackle social stigmas around recovery.

They offer on the job training in areas such as silver service, first aid, kitchen skills, hospitality and now they can add floristry to their skill set.

Recovery Connections CEO Dot Turton says: “Everyone should have the opportunity to thrive in a supportive environment and we hope to give them that chance through all of the businesses within Recovery Connections Enterprises”. A beautiful bouquet created by Nicola Menzies of Bloom Florists (Image: Bloom Florists) Whatever reason people have been out of work, whether living with addiction, time in prison or caring for a loved one, Recovery Connections offers opportunities to get people back into work and improve their lives.

But from mini orchids to foxgloves and aqua boxes to bespoke bouquets, what else we can expect from this new online florist?

Head florist, Nicola Menzies says: “I love how flowers can brighten anyone’s day no matter what mood you’re in, that’s such an important thing for us to be able to bring to the community in these difficult times”.

Nicola has worked in the industry for over seven years and since studying floristry at college, she has worked in retail and wedding floristry.

She currently puts together all of the bouquets as well as delivering within Middlesbrough and an eight mile radius.

In addition to selling flowers and plants as a gift, for individual purchase or for events, Bloom Florists will be offering volunteering and training opportunities in the future once safe to do so.

“It’s a privilege to be able to deliver something to someone that brings them some joy, and all the money we make goes back into supporting people now and in the future”, added Nicola. Emily Davies, marketing and communications officer and Dot Turton, CEO of Recovery Connections (Image: Sarah Caldecott) As well as supporting individuals reach their potential and bring people together, Recovery Connections Enterprises is providing valuable services to the local community.CEO Dot says: “Your pound goes so much further; it is about investing in people’s futures in addition to purchasing a quality product”.With the online launch of Bloom Florists, there will be future announcements to look forward to once government guidelines change regarding […]