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21/01/2010
Members of the Green Team clearing snow for local resident
A group of previously unemployed young people in Rochdale have played an invaluable role in supporting local vulnerable and elderly people through the worst cold snap in over 20 years. The “Green Team”, a group of 18-24 year olds, has helped their community beat the weather by clearing pathways of snow and laying down grit, helping residents who might otherwise have faced severe difficulties. Working with environmental charity Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, the team perform tasks in the local community such as environmental site clearances, laying block paving and a range of other land-based improvements. Funded by the Government’s Future Jobs Fund, the Green Team is a work placement scheme managed by Groundwork to help young people back into work by providing them with new skills and confidence. Young people on the programme also receive advice and training and access to facilities to help them search for jobs. Tim Godfrey of Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale praised the members of the Green Team: “As a result of the large snowfall recently the Green Team helped to clear snow around a block of flats, helping out the local caretakers. This left many residents delighted by their efforts and several people congratulated them on their hard work. “They’ve been given real work experience - some have never had a proper job before. They are learning time management responsibilities as well as the technical side of the job, giving them every chance of finding a full time job in the future. “Seeing them do so well is really rewarding - one of the employees has said he has got his self-esteem back after spending a long time feeling worthless.” Groundwork is working in partnership with the National Housing Federation to create over 2000 jobs across the UK with help from the Future Jobs Fund, supporting young people back in to work and breaking the “no experience, no work” cycle.
