A group that helps adults with learning difficulties and disabilities and local Brownies and Guides have all said a big thank you to a team of unemployed young people from Teesside for brightening up their Marske home.
The Guide House, previously a school, has been re-furbished by 13 members of a Prince’s Trust Team Programme who also won £1,100 to help buy paints and furniture from UK Steel Enterprise’s Community Support Fund.
Aspire, set up about eight months ago, is one of the local groups that use the Guide House. Each day, around 10 adults with disabilities enjoy breakfast and activities from computers, cooking and pool to fitness, table tennis, music, art and crafts all aimed at improving their independence.
The Prince’s Trust team of 16 to 24 year olds, mostly from Redcar and Skelton, has re-painted the two large function rooms in bright, cheerful colours, replaced kitchen units and provided extra storage cupboards.
Steve Hall of Aspire said: “The Guide House is a great building but it needed re-furbishing. The extra storage has made a real difference to us and they have created a colourful environment that everyone is enjoying.
“All the young people have been so friendly, they took time to chat to our clients and we couldn’t speak highly enough of them. We really appreciate what they and UK Steel Enterprise have done and wish all the team members good luck for the future.”
Craig Murphy, Prince’s Trust Team Leader at Stockton Riverside College, said: “Everyone has worked really hard to improve the building for the Brownies, Guides and all the other groups that use the Guide House.
“The young people pack a lot into their 12 weeks on our Team Programmes which are designed to help give them the skills, confidence and experience they need for employment. The community project they do is an important part of that and giving a presentation to a business panel from UK Steel Enterprise to raise the money they need is a very valuable experience for them.”
Sarah Thorpe of UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary, said: “We are long-standing supporters of the Prince’s Trust Team Programmes on Teesside and it’s really heart-warming to see what a difference these community projects make to local people. Their success rate in getting young people into employment is really impressive so we are pleased to help.”
Details of UK Steel Enterprise’s support for business is at www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk or call 01642 777 777. The Prince’s Trust is at www.princes-trust.org.uk .