What happens when you try to get a group of teenagers to do some gardening? Asking for trouble?! Find out how this lot measured up

 Connecting Communities is a young people’s project based at Laburnum Road in Tipton run by the Murray Hall Trust. During the summer the young people, who fall in the NEET category, were working on a garden project at Laburnum Rd. They took on the rough-looking garden laden with huge overgrowth and completely turned it around. Not only just getting rid of the unwanted weeds and bushes but, working to a plan, laid out a lawn and planted fruit trees and vegetables plants. This was a real self discovery exercise which challenged the stereotypical image of youth who are NEET. It was a great way to get everyone to work together, build self-esteem, to plan and delegate roles. Staff members Bard and Mo Javaid (Project Manager) have also been supporting them to find work, training, employment, work experience and organising taster sessions.

 What do you think of Connecting Communities?
Here’s what couple of the young people who too part think:

 ‘Before coming to Connecting Communities I had little qualifications and lacked confidence. In the short time I have spent here Connecting Communities staff are pretty much the only people who have said they would get me on a course and followed through with it, without wasting any time and have been overall friendly and helpful towards my goals.’
Joseph Bird

 ‘Before I came to Connecting Community’s I knew I wanted to do something in the gaming career but I didn’t know how to get there. Connecting Community’s showed me how to get into the gaming industry and also put me onto 3 courses that showed me what the media industry is like. Connecting Communities has helped me build up my CV.

I am very glad Connecting Communities are here to help because I know how to get to my future goals in life. So I would like to say thanks to the employees at Connecting Communities.’
Paul Evans

Photo above (left to right):
Paul Evans, Sheree Anslow (Youth Support Worker), Ryan Tinsley aka Gizmo, Joseph Bird, Terrie Titley and Matthew Tildesley

Photos: Guests and staff on the open day, Tuesday 3rd August 2010, to see the garden project completed