A group of young people on the Prince’s Trust Team Programme at Bridgwater College, volunteered their time to rejuvenate a classroom and garden area at the Jean Rees Centre at Chilton School in Bridgwater.

As part of the student’s personal development, they are asked to plan, prepare for and carry out a large project over a two week period to benefit the local community, whilst helping to improve their own personal skills and make a real difference.

The team unanimously chose the Jean Rees Centre as they saw the potential for some real creativity and wanted to make the learning environment more colourful and stimulating for the students. The crucial planning stage included the team pricing up the required materials and approaching local businesses for donations. Local wholesalers, Dulux Trade Centre, Crown Trade Centre, The Plumb Centre and Central Motor Co, donated generously to the team. These kind donations, along with the £145 they raised by bag packing at Asda in Bridgwater, enabled the team to achieve everything they had planned.

The team worked tirelessly, creating unique artwork, refurbishing garden furniture, weeding and creating bright new flower beds. The official opening was attended by the Bridgwater’s Mayor, Cllr Leigh Redman, and staff and students from the Jean Rees Centre. The celebration gave the team the opportunity to see the impact of the work they had produced.

Jo Wilkes, Team Leader for Prince’s Trust at Bridgwater College said,

“The final outcome of this fantastic project is a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by the team. They worked in very hot conditions to ensure they achieved the best possible outcome. They took every stage of the project very seriously and I am very proud of them.”