An environmental project funded by the Cannock base of social impact business lender UKSE has equipped young people from a special educational needs school with valuable skills.
Twelve students aged between 16 and 18 from Abbey Hill Academy and College in Stoke-on-Trent took part in a Groundwork West Midlands scheme supported by the company.
They helped to regenerate an area at a country park, developing valuable employability skills through hands-on work experience.
The six sessions at Silverdale Country Park, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, included creating a home for birds, tree popping, coppicing, fence building, pathway repairs and the planting of 600 trees.
The initiative was run by Groundwork community project officers and park rangers and provided students with an increased knowledge of the environment together with practical skills to manage outdoor spaces which they can use in the workplace.
Darren Greensmith, vocational pathways manager at Abbey Hill Academy and College, said: “The pupils have built their confidence and developed new skills which they would never have got otherwise.
“The sessions have enabled us to develop opportunities around employability that will be important for their futures.”
UKSE regional executive Mike Lowe said: “It has been great to see the young people develop valuable life and practical skills which will benefit them as they embark on their future careers.
“UKSE’s main aim is to help businesses to grow and prosper for the benefit of the community and the partnership with Groundwork really brings this ethos to life.”
UKSE’s local team in Cannock was set up to support SMEs across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford.
It provides strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1 million to generate growth, create local job opportunities and bolster the economy.
