Team prepare the ground for Incredible Edibles in Middleton

Lewis and Danny grafting

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Springvale Youth Centre in Middleton has received a garden clearance from a group of young volunteers  aged between 16 and 25 to help kick start a new ‘Incredible Edibles’ project that the centre aims to start soon.

Lewis Baillie, 17, said: “When I used to go to Springvale nobody went out or used the area we have been working on. Now Springvale looks neater and it looks a lot better, people will want to go out and use it.”

The volunteers are taking part in the Groundwork and Prince’s Trust Team Programme and completed the planning, fundraising and implementation of the project over a two-week period. The work included clearing litter and debris off the site, cutting back trees, digging up gravel and replacing it with five tonnes of wood chip donated by Tree Heroes.

During the project the team encountered snow and cold weather but managed to work through it.

Jill Amos, Springvale Youth Centre Manager, said: “Thanks to the Groundwork and Prince’s Trust project we are now able to get a good start in setting up our Incredible Edibles projects, which will benefit the local community as well as providing vegetables for youth cookery sessions. We now only need some planters to get started. They have done a great job.” 

The community project gave the young people valuable work experience and ensured that their efforts made a positive impact on the local community.

Fran Hatfield, Prince’s Trust Team Leader, commented: “The team worked really hard, not letting the bad weather stop work. It’s been great to see the Team members in every day and I’m proud of them and the work they have completed.”

The Prince’s Trust Team programme gives unemployed young people the skills and confidence they need to find a job. Three in four young people on The Prince’s Trust schemes move into work, education or training.