Royal award for hard-working young people?
A group of
youngsters from Dover who have turned their lives around with help
from The Prince’s Trust will find out if they have won a royal
award on Tuesday.
They have been nominated for the Balfour Beatty Community Impact
Award at The Prince’s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards at
St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
The award recognises the positive contribution young people make
to their local community whilst developing their own skills.
The young people went on The Prince’s Trust Team programme,
which gives unemployed young people the skills and confidence they
need to find a job.
As part of the course, the group decided to completely refurbish
the dilapidated Tower Hamlets Scout hut which was in desperate need
of renovation.
Their plan was welcomed by the Scout committee members as the
hut’s condition was such that it was not encouraging new members
into the Scout movement. The Team additionally felt that a
reinvigorated hut could be put to many good uses.
The young people were dealing with a wide range of complex
issues before getting involved with The Prince’s Trust, with some
feeling cut off from their families and others feeling excluded
from society.
To some, the project appeared a daunting task, but they
nevertheless set about its completion with determination and
organisation.
Before the considerable job of painting, the team first had to
fill holes and repair surfaces. A fresh colour scheme reflecting
Scout branding was then selected before the mammoth 40ft long
interior was given two carefully applied coats.
In the two weeks it took to apply the paint, they renewed the
grimy bathrooms and kitchen, while replacing all the lights and
restoring the hall’s entrance.
As a result of this hard work, the Scout hut is now completely
restored.
A large part of the project involved raising funds, and the
thought of approaching local businesses and raising awareness
intimidated some members. Despite this, they succeeded in forming
excellent partnerships with local employers and acquired new
supporters for The Prince’s Trust in Dover.
The majority of those on the course have now found jobs, thanks
to The Prince’s Trust course.
28/11/12
- Click here for more Deal, Dover and Sandwich news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...