Improving accessibility on Bideford and Kingsland Road
We’ve teamed up with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to develop the Green Team programme to help address the high number of unemployed people in the Rochdale borough, whilst also working to improve unsightly public places.
Improving accessibility for residents
Over the past few months, the Green Team have been working on Bideford Road and Kingsland Road in Castleton, Rochdale to upgrade and install pathways amongst the 28 bungalows. The existing pathways were too old, narrow and in some places uneven, making them a tripping hazard. This made it especially difficult for residents with mobility scooters and wheelchairs to easily access outside their home.
To revamp the pathways, the team first had to remove the existing pathways. It became clear that the new pathways would end up blocking the bungalow air vents, and so they had to re-level the ground to avoid this. Learning to use new tools and new techniques, the team laid the new foundation for the pathways before they were tarmacked. The apprentices also got their Dump truck licenses to help them move heavy materials around the site, and have been learning key skills to undertake garden maintenance tasks.
Who are the Green Team?
Over the course of 2 years, the Green Team Apprentices are supported by our qualified team to undertake a series of hard and soft landscape work whilst working towards an NVQ Level 2 Landscape & Horticulture qualification. The programme aims to help increase their skills, confidence levels and work experience so they are in a better position to gain full-time employment after their training.
Watch below to find out how Bea is enjoying the first year of her apprenticeship:
