Research by horticultural charity Perennial has found that one third worry about their job security – a similar proportion to when the same survey was first carried out three years ago.

Initial findings from the Wellbeing Survey 2024 show 32% are concerned, mostly because of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis impacting clients’ budgets and prices and employers tightening their belts. In 2021, 31% felt insecure about their job.

Nearly half (48.9%) admitted to not feeling confident about money, and a third (32.6%) do not have an emergency fund of three or more months’ worth of salary.

More than 1,400 people in the horticultural industry completed the survey, run in partnership with the University of Exeter’s Social Innovation Group (SIG).

It found that more than half (53.6%) have a ‘below average’ life satisfaction score. Three-fifths (59.6%) are experiencing back and joint pain and two-fifths (42.1%) are facing debt or financial pressures.

Over a third (34.9%) reported a lack of career progression opportunities and a staggeringly high 71.4% participated in less than seven days of training in the last year. Respondents said they’re looking for industry specific training, self-employment advice and networking opportunities to help develop their careers.

“The findings from the research demonstrate the critical issues facing people every day across horticulture,” says Julia Hayne, Perennial’s director of services. “There is a real need for people across the sector to come together to find collaborative solutions to build futures.”

The full report from the Wellbeing Survey is expected to be published in the new year.