Young People Enjoy Getting Their Hands Dirty

Published on: 7 Oct, 2012
Updated on: 12 Oct, 2012

Guildford YMCA’s latest Prince’s Trust Team got off to a flying start at the end of August and has already spent a week on Dartmoor that was full of challenges.

Prince’s Trust Team member Raff (left) being assisted by Harlequin rugby player Joe Gray.

Since then they have been fundraising for a community project, and last week revamped two garden areas at the Park Barn Day Centre for the elderly.

The manager of the day centre, Jimmy Robinson, expressed his gratitude to the young people, saying: “Thank you to the Prince’s Trust Team in Guildford. The young people have done a great job; the gardens look lovely and our clients will really enjoy using them.”

The 12-week Prince’s Trust course takes 16- to 25-year-olds who are out of work and gives them the opportunity to learn new skills, gain qualifications and improve their confidence and motivation. Working together on the garden project was an experience. It was a fun but challenging week, especially as it poured with rain most of the time!

Samantha, 17, said: “It was a great week, we braved the weather and didn’t let it get us down! We did up a couple of really nice gardens for the elderly. It was lovely to meet some elderly people and do something positive to help them out.”

Raff, 20, said: “It was good to change elderly people’s perceptions of young people; to show them we’re not all bad but that we want to work hard and make something of our lives.”

Plantation youth worker and Guildford team leader Diana Sammons said: “The young people have been enjoying the course so far, learning new skills and gaining lots of new experience and confidence along the way. They did a fantastic job last week at their community project. The gardens look great and they worked really well as a team. They should be proud of what they have achieved!”

An added bonus for the team was a visit by Harlequins rugby team members Joe Gray, JJ, George Robson, Ton Guest and Seb Stegmann. They got involved with the previous Guildford Prince’s Trust and will be offering their support and encouragement to this one too – a real bonus for the young people.

The current team will run for six more weeks which will include two weeks of work experience, a careers advice week and a team challenge in the community.

For further information about Plantation, visit www.plantationcafe.org.uk or call 01483 888122.