It might sound obvious, but my favourite Royal Park is Richmond Park. It has this untouched quality and calmness that is hard to come by in London. If it wasn’t Richmond Park, I would say St James’s Park. The park has a colourful history and there are pockets of fascinating horticulture such as the quaint vegetable garden and the tropical border with its statuesque Echiums.

I became interested in horticulture through my love of cooking. Growing up with a mother in the food industry, meant that cooking was second nature to me. This evolved to being interested in where our food comes from and how ingredients are produced.

A highlight of my apprenticeship is planting trees. Knowing they will outlive me and the positive impact they will have on the park and the people that visit is really special. I also love observing the changing of the seasons, and noticing every little in transition in the plants as the weather changes.

But really, it’s the people that work here that make the apprenticeship really special. The team I work with have consistently supported me and championed me from the moment I started. They are always willing to take time out of their busy days to show me what is in flower or the best way to mow straight lines. I also love meeting up with my fellow apprentices at Capel Manor College once a week.

Ask lots of questions if you are selected to attend the Apprenticeship Open day. It’s important to understand what the apprenticeship will involve. It’s a big commitment juggling studies whilst working.