The Prince’s Trust Mansfield Team 7 recently completed a remarkable project, clearing and transforming an overgrown area at the rear of Mansfield Woodhouse’s Trinity Methodist Church. The group of young people fundraised £308 to secure the tools and equipment needed, converting the space into a peaceful garden that will serve as a clean slate for the congregation and local community to make their own.
“We’ve long wanted to take to task the weeds and brambles at the rear of Trinity Methodist Church in Mansfield Woodhouse” shared Deacon Dave Keegan, Minister for the Sherwood Forest Methodist Circuit, “We were delighted to be contacted by the Prince’s Trust Team programme looking to take on a community project - it wasn’t an easy task that we had given the group, but they proved over the two weeks that they were up to the job.”
The project involved a major clean-up of weeds, brambles, and litter, followed by lining and graveling this first section of the grounds to create a much-welcomed garden for quiet reflection, hosting events and more. Community involvement was gratefully received during the project, with Hetty’s—a local support charity for families affected by addiction—donating slate for a new rockery, and businesses and residents contributing pallets for wall planters and their time through runs to our local recycling centre. “Church members got to know the young people a little during the end of their time with us. They were a friendly and industrious group who have set a high bar for us when we come to improving more of the land in the days to come” added Deacon Keegan.
The newly refurbished garden stands as a tangible reminder of what young people within our community can achieve and joins other settings, including Hetty’s, Berry Hill Park and Mansfield Wildlife Rescue, who have received support from The Prince’s Trust Team programme to improve community facilities. The Inspire and Achieve Foundation (IAF), who run the Team programme across Nottinghamshire, actively welcomes community groups and services who have similar renovation needs to reach out using the project request form on their website. “Each Team programme we coordinate here at IAF typically contributes around £11,000 of social value to the community and gives young people an opportunity to be hands on through volunteering which embeds so many skills that they carry forward into their futures” said Pippa Carter, IAF Director, “Being able to walk past these shared spaces with pride truly has a lasting impact on young people’s mental health as they are empowered by their accomplishments during these activities”.
IAF would like to extend our thanks to the following local businesses; Games Emporium, Ministry of Design, Credible Clothing, Smyths Toys, Glazey Place, Toffee Hut, Zulu, Starbucks, RSPCA, Salvation Army, Blooming Wonderful and The Discount Shop for generously donating tombola prizes in support of this community project . If you know an unemployed young person, aged 16-26 who needs support to overcome personal barriers and takes their next steps, you can learn more about the Prince’s Trust Team programme and IAF’s 1-2-1 mentoring service at: www.inspireandachieve.co.uk.
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