Live Well
A group of green-fingered Year 11 school leavers gave up their free time over the school holidays to tidy up the planted areas at Salford Sports Village and the adjoining Riverbank Park on Littleton Road, Salford.
When we secured some funding from Tesco’s “Bags of Help” scheme for a horticulture project we knew exactly where we wanted the project to be based. Working in partnership with Salford City Council, Keepmoat Homes, Connexions and Groundwork, a group of Year 11 school leavers, identified as at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) and one local resident were recruited to join a 6 week project to develop their gardening skills, gain a qualification and give something back to the community.
Chair of Inspiring Communities Together, Mike Duddy said, “It’s been great to see how hard the young people have worked over the summer, the Sports Village and park look great and we’ve had so many compliments from local residents.”
Julie Baker from Keepmoat Homes said, “The young people have learned valuable transferable skills and those who are keen on pursuing a career in construction are really well placed to take the next step. As an employer I have been really impressed.”
The project came to a close on Thursday 30th August with a celebration lunch attended by the young people, family and friends and members of the local community and the presentation of certificates and gardening tool sets.
“All our young people have secured fantastic progression paths, with everyone moving onto a college course, works trial or apprenticeship in September. We’re really proud of them.” said Sarah Allen from Connexions.