Young people living in Haltwhistle and the surrounding area are being invited to get their hands dirty at a local gardening project thanks to a community grant.
A new gardening and horticultural project was launched this week to help transform a large overgrown area at Hillside in the town.
Growing landlord Karbon Homes has donated £5,000 from its iFund community budget to the Young and Sweet group towards their Hillside Green Fingers project. The aim of the scheme is to transform the garden but also educate young people aged 9-19 years old about gardening, organic food production and recycling whilst aiming to increase their confidence and self-esteem.
It is hoped that the young people engaged in the project will learn and develop new skills, while increasing their social interactions and building up relationships with project staff.
Karbon Homes owns and manages over 350 properties in and around Haltwhistle and it is anticipated that the project will benefit the wider area and contribute to the well-being of the local community in which the young people live.
John Temple, Community Involvement Officer at Karbon Homes, said: “We are proud to support the Haltwhistle Green Fingers project. The project will provide enhanced activities for young people and contribute to the well-being of the local communities in which the young people live.
“We hope that by supporting community projects which engage young people, we will help them to raise their aspirations and give them opportunities to grow and develop the vital skills needed to meet their goals.”
Ayesha Jackson, Youth and Community Development Worker who is overseeing the project on behalf of Northumberland County Council, said: “We are delighted that we are able to offer this exciting project which encourages young people to get outside, be active and learn new skills.”
The project will liaise with Haltwhistle schools, parents and carers but young people can also enrol onto the programme direct by contacting Ayesha Jackson on 07835 163 927.