Celebration at Woodfield School of volunteers’ achievements

School staff and the Mayor of Dacorum gathered to thank local volunteers for creating an outdoor area at Woodfield School’s café on Tuesday 19 December 2017.

For the past 12 weeks, the volunteers have formed the Green Team, an employment and skills course run by community charity Groundwork Hertfordshire with funding from Wooden Spoon, Hertfordshire Community Foundation, The Christopher Laing Foundation, Tesco Bags of Help and Jewson’s Building Better Communities Fund.

Following design advice provided by Groundwork’s Landscape Architects, funded by the longstanding John Laing Charitable Trust Services to Schools programme, the Green Team members used their new landscaping skills to transform the overgrown area at the back of the school’s café. There is now a new seating area with new planting to enjoy, a repaired fence and a new path connecting the café area to the planned vegetable growing area. The team’s work will give café customers – which include parents and the wider community – a space to enjoy their food and drink. The pathway ensures safe and accessible access to the area for all.

The Green Teamers haven’t just improved their practical skills; all volunteers were able to improve their CV’s and job interview techniques in addition to building their confidence and teamwork. They were presented with certificates by the Mayor of Dacorum to show they have been awarded a City & Guilds qualifications in Practical Horticulture, all of which will significantly boost their job prospects.

Matt Sutcliffe, Project Supervisor for Groundwork said: “It was great for the team to present to the audience and show how they have put their new skills to good use and also developed personally. The team has thrived on seeing the area transform in just 12 weeks. Congratulations Green Team!”

Beverley Hamilton, Deputy Head of Woodfield School, said: “We are very pleased to have worked with Groundwork on this project. The new area will help our children and young people make better use of our grounds and will create new learning environments. We thank everyone who has made this project possible.”

Above, from left to right: Matt Pearson (Employment Project Tutor, Groundwork), Matthew Quigley (Green Team member), Douglas Goad (Green Team member), Laura Keen (Green Team member), Jade Bridges (Green Team member), Richard Pocock (Green Team member), Matt Sutcliffe (Employment Project Supervisor, Groundwork), John Batters (Wooden Spoon), Cllr David Collins (Mayor of Dacorum).

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