Part of the Etc.
Little hands love nothing more than making a big mess in the mud kitchen at Darlington’s Borough Road Nursery School.
Now they are able to do just that and lots more besides, thanks to the hard work of a group of unemployed young people.
The Team who are taking part in a Prince’s Trust personal development programme with Stockton Riverside College not only gave the nursery’s mud kitchen an overhaul but also helped revamp the garden including a refreshed story corner, playhouse and pond area.
“The garden really was in need of a bit of TLC,” said the nursery’s head teacher, Julia Thompson. “So we were delighted when the Prince’s Trust Darlington Team stepped up and offered to lend us a hand.”
The group made up of 11 unemployed 16 to 25-year-olds had just two weeks to carry out the ambitious community project. But even a spree of heavy downpours didn’t dampen their efforts.
Materials were supplied by the town’s Jewson Limited as the Prince’s Trust Team mucked in to give the nursery garden an overhaul.
Bradley Brooklyn, 21, of Darlington, said: “Everyone worked together to get the job done. It is nice to know that we are doing something for the community.”
Having helped to repaint the fences and digging out the pond, Shawn Howard, 24, also from Darlington, added: “The course really brings you out of your comfort zone, it helps you find new skills that you didn’t know you had.”
Team leader Mark Hamilton said: “The Team project helps get young people back in to the community and gives them the chance to help make a real difference. At the same time they are building their team skills and confidence and it can help them develop a real work ethic.”
Delighted with the young people’s work at the nursery, head teacher Julia said: “We have a lot of children who have special needs and many from deprived backgrounds, but for all of youngsters, to have this facility, is amazing.
“For some children the garden is their prime learning environment, it gives them so much freedom, space to use their muscles and that in itself helps to develop the brain.
“The group has worked really hard, they have definitely learnt about team work and there has been some real grafters among them.”
Now they are able to do just that and lots more besides, thanks to the hard work of a group of unemployed young people.
The Team who are taking part in a Prince’s Trust personal development programme with Stockton Riverside College not only gave the nursery’s mud kitchen an overhaul but also helped revamp the garden including a refreshed story corner, playhouse and pond area.
“The garden really was in need of a bit of TLC,” said the nursery’s head teacher, Julia Thompson. “So we were delighted when the Prince’s Trust Darlington Team stepped up and offered to lend us a hand.”
The group made up of 11 unemployed 16 to 25-year-olds had just two weeks to carry out the ambitious community project. But even a spree of heavy downpours didn’t dampen their efforts.
Materials were supplied by the town’s Jewson Limited as the Prince’s Trust Team mucked in to give the nursery garden an overhaul.Bradley Brooklyn, 21, of Darlington, said: “Everyone worked together to get the job done. It is nice to know that we are doing something for the community.”
Having helped to repaint the fences and digging out the pond, Shawn Howard, 24, also from Darlington, added: “The course really brings you out of your comfort zone, it helps you find new skills that you didn’t know you had.”
Team leader Mark Hamilton said: “The Team project helps get young people back in to the community and gives them the chance to help make a real difference. At the same time they are building their team skills and confidence and it can help them develop a real work ethic.”
Delighted with the young people’s work at the nursery, head teacher Julia said: “We have a lot of children who have special needs and many from deprived backgrounds, but for all of youngsters, to have this facility, is amazing.
“For some children the garden is their prime learning environment, it gives them so much freedom, space to use their muscles and that in itself helps to develop the brain.
“The group has worked really hard, they have definitely learnt about team work and there has been some real grafters among them.”
