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A team of unemployed young people has been helping to clear the decks for a new project that aims to help carve a niche for ex-military personnel.

The Prince’s Trust Darlington Team rolled up their sleeves to clear the outdoor space and paint the workshop walls and floors for the new community interest company, Plane Sailing for Heroes.

Leading the way, Bob Marshall said: “Our plan is to offer workshops in wood and metal crafts that will give former service personnel a place to come and spend time, while hopefully developing new skills.”

Bob, a former military man himself, explained: “A lot of people coming out of the military can have PTSD, anxiety or other mental health issues, as well as physical injuries.”

While he doesn’t claim such workshops to be a miracle cure, he said: “They can offer a new focus and direction, spending time doing something new that they enjoy, and being part of a community with shared interests.”

From its base in Darlington, Plane Sailing for Heroes is now offering bespoke joinery services to help cover the running costs of the initiative, and Bob hopes to get the workshops up and running in the New Year.  With the project still in its early stages, he said a helping hand from the local Prince’s Trust Team proved most welcome.

The Prince’s Trust Darlington Team leader, Mark Hamilton, said: “Taking part in a community project is an integral part of our 12-week course.  It not only helps our young people to develop new skills such as teamwork, planning and organisation, but it also shows them the difference they can make in their own community.”

Delivered by the Education Training Collective in Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Bishop Auckland, Catterick and, of course, Darlington, The Prince’s Trust Team courses are targeted at unemployed young people aged 16 to 25. 

Clearing overgrown bushes, weeds and rubbish from the outdoor space, as well as painting walls and floors at the new Plane Sailing for Heroes premises, the young team also enlisted the support of Stockton-based haulage, plant and skip hire firm, Scott Bros, who donated the use of a skip and removed the contents for recycling.

Peter Scott, a director of Scott Bros, said: “As a family-run firm we are always pleased to assist worthy causes. In this case, the donation of a skip not only supported the young people involved with The Prince’s Trust Team programme, but also helped a tremendous organisation to create a base here in the Tees Valley.”

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