A MULTINATIONAL team of students have helped to transform the outdoor space at a Rugby church.
Eight students from five different countries renovated three outdoor spaces at Rugby United Reformed Church as part of The Prince’s Trust Team programme.
Youngsters who have just arrived in the country from Ukraine, South Africa, Afghanistan and the Philippines were joined by UK students to create a safe and secure children’s garden, renovate the church’s reflective memorial garden, and renovate the recycling garden.
Work included repairing fences, removing damaged astroturf, creating seating areas, clearing spaces and painting murals on the walls.
Lorna Maloney from the Hillmorton Road church said the new spaces would help the church to support people of all ages in the community.
She said: “The young people who came along were absolutely fabulous. There was a tremendous amount of excitement during the two-week project, with people from the church community watching the changes take place.
“We have been looking to find ways to engage more with the local community and these new outdoor spaces will help us to do just that.
“The three new areas will cater for different groups, but the children’s garden will be at the heart of our Mums and Tots Club. The new seating area in the memorial garden is already proving popular with our more elderly visitors, and the recycling area where we raise funds for Helipads for Hospitals will enhance that provision.
“We would like to thank the Prince’s Trust team for bringing new life to our church. We’re thrilled by the work they have done.”
The Prince’s Trust Team programme, which works with young people age 16 to 25, is run in the area by college group WCG, based at Rugby College.
WCG’s Prince’s Trust Team Leader Georgia Allen said: “We are always looking for worthwhile community projects to support through The Prince’s Trust Team programme.
“It lasted two weeks and the students did a great job at recycling, renovating and upcycling items for the garden as well as fundraising to purchase specific items.
“The church members and groups are already using the garden and it will be a calm, sociable place for the community to use.
“This project has had a clear positive impact on the local community in Rugby. It has given the students fantastic experience and helped them to develop new skills that will be valuable when heading out into the world of work.”
Visit https://wcg.ac.uk/page/25/princes-trust for more information on The Prince’s Trust programme at WCG.
