Learners train together to help Foxlowe re-open Dec 5, 2011
Category: News
Young learners and apprentices across North Staffordshire have been working together with the community to spruce up the historic Foxlowe Arts Centre building in Leek.
Learners from Indigo Training in Leek enjoyed working alongside PM Training learners and apprentices from Stoke-on-Trent. They took up the appeal for volunteers as they wanted to work with the local community to help bring the centre back into use.
Both companies are part of Aspire’s social enterprise arm, known as Enterprising Futures.
Matt Ray, 33, project manager from PM Training, who was supervising the team, said: “We brought our Homeworks team over to Leek to help clean and paint the main rooms. The learners from Indigo are really keen to demonstrate their skills and have worked well with the rest of the team. This is a fantastic building, and is in the heart of the town.”
Homeworks is PM Training's direct services provision. It is an innovative way of providing services to partner organisations while supporting young learners to become ready for an apprenticeship.
Homeworks services include gardening, environmental improvements, landscaping, estate caretaking, handyman services, painting and decorating, soft furnishing, metal work, streetscape and urban art.
Leanne Cowdrey, 18, has been working at Indigo since February. She said: “I love doing woodwork and bricklaying – it’s exciting being able to work with PM Training – the people are all nice.”
Jamie Shaw, 18, from PM Training, said: “It’s ace to work around here – I studied engineering in Leek and it’s great to be back, working on a big project like Foxlowe. The Indigo learners jumped straight into the task.”
Will Nixon, Chief Executive of Enterprising Futures, said: “I’m delighted to offer our services to such an excellent cause - It’s good to see learners from Leek and Stoke-on-Trent working together with the local community to help open the Arts Centre. I look forward to bringing Homeworks over to Leek on a more permanent basis.”
Peter Kent-Baguley, one of the three trustees of the Foxlowe Arts Centre and co-ordinator of administration, said:
"Our regular, local volunteers who come in at weekends to clean up and paint couldn't believe their eyes when they turned up at the end of the Indigo and PM apprentices' first week. The young people from Leek and Stoke worked very well together. They have been excellently supervised and worked conscientiously throughout their fortnight with us at the Foxlowe.
"We couldn't possibly have reached such an advanced state of readiness without the young trainers' invaluable contribution. They worked in a highly disciplined and professional way and clearly took a pride in what they were doing.
"The Foxlowe trustees, volunteers and all associated with this exciting Arts Centre project are extremely grateful for Aspire's commitment to supporting community projects. We look forward to further collaboration in the future."
