It’s amazing the difference a spot of elbow grease can make, just ask this team of Prince’s Trust volunteers.

The group of young unemployed have been putting their time to good use by helping transform the common room of a Middlesbrough charity.

Hope North East provides support for those affected by substance misuse to achieve long term recovery by helping them to build life skills, confidence and self-esteem.

With their facilities on Marton Road in need of a spruce up, in stepped the Middlesbrough Prince’s Trust Team to offer a helping hand.

“The Team must carry out a community project as part of their Prince’s Trust programme,” said Graeme Ogle, Middlesbrough Team leader. “When they heard about the work that Hope North East do they were keen to get involved.”

Pitching a proposal in a Dragon’s Den-style presentation, the group secured £1250 funding from UK Steel Enterprise, along with an additional £100 from The Prince’s Trust Team programme corporate supporter, Barclays.

Within a matter of days the Team had redecorated the centre’s common room, put in a breakfast bar with tea and coffee making facilities, a sofa and added some board games.

“It has been hard work but it’s been worth it,” said Team member Dave Richardson, 24, of Middlesbrough. “We met one of the guys that’s been helped by the project and listening to his story brought a lump to my throat.”

Fellow volunteer Tom Gordon, 18, also of Middlesbrough, said: “It’s good to know our hard work is helping others, they will be able to come here and have somewhere nice to relax and stay away from their problems.”

The Prince’s Trust Team programme, which is delivered at locations across Teesside by Stockton Riverside College, is a 12-week personal development course for unemployed young people, helping build their confidence and skills through a variety of community tasks and challenges.

Of the project at Hope North East, Team leader Graeme said: “The Team has worked really hard and impressed us with their dedication and knowledge. The teamwork has been fantastic, along with their ability to work to a budget.”

Hope North East chief executive Dot Turton said: “The Prince’s Trust students have helped turn what was a pretty dull room into somewhere much more bright and cheerful.

“By decorating and reorganising this room it has helped to create more of a social space where people can come together and enjoy some down time.”

For more details about Stockton Riverside College’s Prince’s Trust courses visit www.stockton.ac.uk/princes-trust/ or call 01642 865566.