Young men awarded for their hard graft in the garden
A group of young men have received awards for transforming a neglected and overgrown garden in Telford into one for the community to enjoy.
Jordan Evans, Jordan Perkins, Zack Pressland and Kallan Ball spent their summer holiday turning around the garden at Old Park Primary School in Malinslee where weeds had grown to more than six feet in height.
With help from Dawley Town Council’s Parish Environment Team, the young men put in weeks of hard work which included digging and planting and painting and fixing wooden structures.
On Thursday 6 September, Jordan, Jordan and Zack they were rewarded for their efforts when they were presented with “Turnaround” awards. Kallan was unable to attend on the day and was presented with his award seperately. The Turnaround project is run by Telford & Wrekin Council for 16 to 24 year olds who are not in education nor employment or who are at risk of becoming disengaged with learning and work. Turnaround gives them guidance, advice and work experience to develop their skills and with it, their future education and employment prospects.
Cllr Shirley Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Employment, Education & Life Long Learning, said: “These young people have really worked hard all summer bringing the school garden back into life. It’s not only been important for the school, it’s been important for them. It’s in recognition of all the skills they have learnt, some of those transferable skills will help with employment whether it be working as a team, making decisions, being able to be responsible, being consistent and conscientious every day. For these young people it has helped them turn their lives around. Some of them may have left school not with the best experience but this has given them some positive recognition. We can’t thank them enough for what they are putting back into their own local community. Local children will be able to enjoy this garden because of them.”
Receiving his Turnaround Award, Jordan Evans said: “I found it very good. I liked everything about it; the digging, the painting. I learnt a lot of skills and it got me out of the house for a while. The staff were great, definitely recommend them. I’m going to put the award on my window sill!” Jordan added he would like a career in clothing design. In the meantime he will volunteer with The Telford After Care Team gaining more experience doing printing work.
Jordan Perkins will go on a training programme with training provider Nova while Zack will join a community group to continue looking after the transformed garden. Kallan is planning another work experience placement with the support of the Turnaround team at Telford & Wrekin Council.
Telford & Wrekin Council’s waste and recycling contractor Veolia has awarded a £1,000 Envirogrant for the upkeep of the garden.
The Turnaround project began in 2008 and continued until this year with European Social Funding. Telford & Wrekin Council is now applying for further European Social Funding which, if successful, would mean the Turnaround project will resume in April 2019 until 2021.
More information about the Turnaround project can be found here
More information about Veolia’s Envirogrant scheme can be found here
