The redevelopment of the external communal area at our Cedar Close sheltered scheme, St Martins, has been completed by local volunteers from the Prince’s Trust.
Work has included the removal of damaged planters, laying a concrete level area with brick edging to create an accessible communal seating and patio area for residents.
The work was part of a four-week project coordinated by the Prince’s Trust as an element of a 12-week programme with the aim of helping young people aged between 16-25 develop employment skills and confidence whilst helping local communities.
The work at Cedar Close was funded by two weeks of fundraising activity, during which donations were received from kind local suppliers. TG Builders Merchants offered discounts on concrete and JC Dykes provided discounts on the benches, as well as £400 being raised by bag packing in Morrisons in Oswestry.
The group considered a number of potential local projects, but voted Cedar Close as the one they wanted to work on, which delighted residents.
Lauren Woods, Involvement and Empowerment Officer for Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, said:
“The work that the Prince’s Trust has done is fantastic and it’s great that our tenants are going to be able to benefit from it.
Knowing that those involved in the group will also benefit is great and it’s been rewarding for us at Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing to be involved.”
Phillip Jones, a resident of Cedar Close, said:
“The residents of Cedar Close are very grateful for all the hard work that has gone into this project, including all of the fundraising by bag packing and more. Several other tenants and I have already been enjoying the sun sitting in our new seating area, and looking at the weather forecast we will have a few more days this week to enjoy ourselves.
We’re also really glad that a cedar tree has been planted so we can all say that Cedar Close has a cedar tree again!”
Kevin Faulkner, Team Leader of the Prince’s Trust team, said:
"This community project is part of a 12 week programme managed by the City of Wolverhampton College and is aimed at improving the young people of Oswestry's team working, confidence and employability skills. The group of 10 students from Oswestry visited a number of possible projects but selected Cedar Close as their preferred project because they really wanted to help the residents have somewhere to socialise outside and it was the most challenging project offered to them. They have worked tirelessly for 9 days to ensure the project is completed to a standard they can be proud of.
We all hope that the residents benefit from the work the group is doing and would like to thank Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, Morrisons, the people of Oswestry and local suppliers for their support."
All participants of the project had to pass an interview to check that they were suitable and committed to the project.
The next team start date in Oswestry is 29 June 2015. For more information, contact Team Leader, Kevin Faulkner, on 07768 776867.
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