Second project to help unemployed residents work towards qualification begins at Longhurst Group scheme

A second project to help residents in Peterborough work towards a horticulture qualification has got under way at another of our schemes.

We’ve once again partnered with Groundwork East to offer its Green Skills programme to local people who are out of work and have an interest in working outdoors.

After a successful project at our Carl Hall Court scheme, the second programme is taking place at our Eastfield Road scheme in the city.

A total of 10 volunteers are working alongside two members of staff from Groundwork East to transform some outdoor areas at Eastfield Road, while working towards a City and Guilds Level 1 Practical Horticulture qualification.

Participants will work on the programme three days a week until mid-October, with one day a week in the classroom and two days a week working outside.

Some of the work that will take place will include painting of the shed, bark chip to replace current gravelled areas and general tidying up works of the outdoor areas.

This sort of programme is a brilliant way of encouraging people to work towards a qualification and hopefully find future employment.

Sareeta Sharma, Community Investment Lead for the South, said: “I’m delighted to see the second programme get started at Eastfield Road and it’s great to be working with Groundwork East once again.

“We had a great success during the project at Carl Hall Court and everyone who took part found it really beneficial and enjoyable.

“This sort of programme is a brilliant way of encouraging people to work towards a qualification and hopefully find future employment, all while helping to improve the outdoor spaces for residents at one of our schemes.

“I really hope the 10 participants on this project enjoy their time and learn lots of new skills. I’m looking forward to seeing the progress that’s made.”

The project has been mostly funded by John Lewis.

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