Teens muck in to brighten up centre’s garden
YOUNG people have been raising cash and getting their hands dirty, sprucing up the garden of a community space for the elderly.
The work by volunteers from the National Citizen Service (NCS) is part of their social action project for their National Citizens Award. It has involved fundraising for gardening supplies, then improving the outdoor space at Queen’s Road Day Centre in Jarrow. The hope is that this will help the welfare of people who enjoy the space – but also support wildlife.
The team, made up of youngsters aged around 16, decided this would be a good way to benefit their community because they feel older generation is often overlooked by society.
Doing something to combat social isolation is something every member of the group is passionate about.
Over five days, they raised £135 to put towards new plants and supplies for the garden.
They also tackled weeding, cut back bushes, mowed the lawn, did some painting, and generally tidied up.
Volunteer Jess Mills, 16, said: “I have really enjoyed working with the people at the day centre. Helping out with the gardening is very fulfilling and I feel like I’m really making an impact.”
Tegan Herbet-Daies, also 16, added: “I think that too many people overlook the elderly community, especially where we live, so it really feels like we’re making a difference.”
Team member Lauren Hair, 16, said: “Working in the garden and bettering it for the elderly community is surprisingly satisfying despite the hard work.
“I know that they’ve helped pave our community and now doing something nice for them is like a way of repayment and it’s nice to hear compliments on the hard work we’ve been up to.”
Teresa Reed, a Trustee of NCS, said: “Queen’s Road is an activity and friendship group for the elderly. This week we have the pleasure of working alongside a group of young people (Headliners UK) working towards their National Citizens award.
“They have volunteered to help in our very large garden, they have also done some fundraising and have bought and planted a variety of plants and shrubs.
“This garden provides a safe green space for our clients and other groups to enjoy.
“These young people have worked really hard in spite of the heat, and remained very cheerful and helpful, and were a joy to be with.”
Shannon Hargreaves, a team assistant of NCS – Headliners NE, said: “We are a charity who does youth work within South Tyneside and North Tyneside with many successful projects.
“This summer we are working alongside NCS, I have a group of young people within my team who are working on their social action project working within their community in South Tyneside this week. They’ve made a social account to promote their community spirit.” (@Queensroad_flower_ bridage)
To support the NCS young volunteers visit their fundraising page at https://gofund.me/d4e3fbbb