Call for young volunteers in Stevenage

PEOPLE aged 16 to 25 with an interest in landscaping are being sought in Stevenage.

Environmental charity Groundwork Hertfordshire and its highly successful Green Skills project is coming to the town for three weeks.

It begins on Monday and will take place at Woolenwick School where the young volunteers will help construct a nature trail and outdoor classroom facilities for pupils.

Training will include practical landscaping skills such as basic carpentry, horticultural techniques and paving. In addition, the group will be encouraged to work as a team, improving their communication skills.

Basic first aid training will also be given and classroom sessions including CV writing, presentation skills and job seeking techniques will be provided to help improve the chances of the young people securing future employment or further training.

Groundwork’s youth and employment manager, Graeme Endersby, said: “I’m looking forward to a new youth initiative in Stevenage, and I hope that our Green Skills project will prove popular with young people in the town.

“Green Skills aims to give young people the training and confidence they need to help them go on and secure a job in the future, and during the current economic climate we hope that the training Groundwork can provide will mean our young people will stand out above the rest.”

This project has been made possible thanks to funding from the European Union Social Fund, together with a contribution from Woolenwick School.

Groundwork is currently working in partnership with Youth Connexions, Aldwyck Housing and North Hertfordshire College to contact as many young people as possible about Green Skills.

All equipment and materials are provided by Groundwork, together with full health and safety training and instruction on handling tools and safety advice.

If you’re interested in joining the Green Skills project, contact Graeme Endersby on graeme.endersby@groundwork.org.uk or 07917 204977.