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10/01/2012
Young people and residents admire their newly renovated space
Shoppers in Rockingham can look forward to a newly renovated green space, thanks to the efforts of local young people and funding secured from SITA Trust.
Groundwork Dearne Valley’s Turning the Corner project works with young people to help them get involved in projects in their own neighbourhoods, challenging the often negative perceptions others might have about young people.
Horticulture students from Wingfield Business & Enterprise College were keen to make improvements to an undeveloped patch of land, which the Local Area Assembly had highlighted as a site in need of attention.
The students consulted Rockingham tenants and residents association (TARA) members for ideas for a colourful environmental art mural and new planting scheme. After a planning session with artist Sarah Yates, the young people returned to the TARA to present their plans, which were met with universal approval.
A group of seventeen students then worked alongside Sarah Yates to create an eye catching mural, featuring brightly coloured birds, bees, butterflies, flowers and foliage. A complementary planting scheme ties the art work and landscape.
Carole Foster, Turning the Corner Youth Worker said "Along with the impressive environmental improvements, this project has seen positive links made between the young people and elderly TARA members who’ve been involved. As well as gaining skills in community consultation, planning and design, the young people even tried events management by arranging a tea dance for the older residents to enjoy."
Carole secured an additional £10,000 in funding from SITA Trust to redevelop the central area into with a new planting scheme. Landscape Architects from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Lee Bestall of Inspired Gardens designed the plans, which will create an attractive green space edged with bespoke metal railings. Work on the new garden will start on the 30th January, when Groundwork Dearne Valley will be making the improvements, alongside twelve more Wingfield students who’ll be helping to plant up the new scheme.
