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A team of unemployed young people have been helping make the festive season that little bit more special for families in the Stockton area.
The youngsters, who are taking part in The Prince’s Trust Team programme at Stockton Riverside College, joined volunteers at Christ the King Church in Thornaby, where every year they put together hampers and gifts for those in need of a helping hand at Christmas.
“It is amazing to see so many people come together,” said Liz Maw who helps to co-ordinate the annual event, which is also supported by staff from Barclaycard. “It gets everybody in the Christmas spirit and we love it.”
Putting together approximately 100 hampers and 300 presents for families and individuals nominated by local schools and the community, including 20 refugee families and 10 referrals from Stockton homeless charity, Bridgehouse Mission, Liz said: “This has been the biggest yet.”
For the young people from The Prince’s Trust, the event offered an insight into the difference their efforts can make to their own community.
Working alongside volunteers and Barclaycard staff, the students wrapped presents and put together hampers, made up of donations from the surrounding community and goods bought by funds raised.
Team Leader Melisa Marsden said: “It is really rewarding for the young people to see what they do can make a real difference. It’s good for them to see how doing a little thing can have such a big impact on other people.”
Liz, who is Barclaycard’s Senior Change Manager, said: “We are massively grateful for all of the donations that have come in. It shows how thoughtful people can be at this time of year.”
Funds raised by The Prince’s Trust students during a sponsored 40-mile gym-a-thon covered the cost of hygiene packs to be distributed to the homeless.
Student Emily Messenger, 19, of Stockton, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, it feels amazing. It feels like I am giving something back and helping those that need it.”
The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a 12-week personal development course for young unemployed people age 16 to 25. It offers the chance to build the skills and confidence to return to education, training or work.
The youngsters, who are taking part in The Prince’s Trust Team programme at Stockton Riverside College, joined volunteers at Christ the King Church in Thornaby, where every year they put together hampers and gifts for those in need of a helping hand at Christmas.
“It is amazing to see so many people come together,” said Liz Maw who helps to co-ordinate the annual event, which is also supported by staff from Barclaycard. “It gets everybody in the Christmas spirit and we love it.”
Putting together approximately 100 hampers and 300 presents for families and individuals nominated by local schools and the community, including 20 refugee families and 10 referrals from Stockton homeless charity, Bridgehouse Mission, Liz said: “This has been the biggest yet.”
For the young people from The Prince’s Trust, the event offered an insight into the difference their efforts can make to their own community.
Working alongside volunteers and Barclaycard staff, the students wrapped presents and put together hampers, made up of donations from the surrounding community and goods bought by funds raised.
Team Leader Melisa Marsden said: “It is really rewarding for the young people to see what they do can make a real difference. It’s good for them to see how doing a little thing can have such a big impact on other people.”Liz, who is Barclaycard’s Senior Change Manager, said: “We are massively grateful for all of the donations that have come in. It shows how thoughtful people can be at this time of year.”
Funds raised by The Prince’s Trust students during a sponsored 40-mile gym-a-thon covered the cost of hygiene packs to be distributed to the homeless.
Student Emily Messenger, 19, of Stockton, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, it feels amazing. It feels like I am giving something back and helping those that need it.”
The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a 12-week personal development course for young unemployed people age 16 to 25. It offers the chance to build the skills and confidence to return to education, training or work.
