Young adults who recently revitalised a Chesterfield community garden as part of a Princes Trust programme to boost work chances were hailed by the town’s MP, Toby Perkins, at their graduation ceremony this week.

The MP, who is Labour’s shadow skills Minister, was ‘blown away’ by their project which involved establishing a new garden on the Holme Hall estate to the west of Chesterfield town centre.

Alongside the garden improvement project young people got work experience, went on a residential trip and developed their work skills, including Maths and English.

Toby said, “It was a pleasure to meet with these young people and see the real improvements they have made to their skills and employability. I was blown away by the difference they had made to the garden at Holme Hall and their commitment to improving local facilities. They are clearly very motivated and keen to get into the world of work and build a career. And they were all very positive about the course at The Princes Trust and feel it is of real benefit to their personal development.”

Now Toby is urging other young people to enrol for the programme which offers real potential to develop work-related skills alongside making a contribution to their local community.

The Princes Trust ‘Team’ programme is for unemployed people between ages of 16 and 25. If you sign up to the programme you’ll be challenged to:

• Take on a group community project, making a positive difference to the place where you live
• Take part in a residential trip
• Get two weeks’ work experience in something you’re interested in
• Develop your English and Maths skills

Toby added, “The peer support that the young people on the programme were providing each other was really inspiring. I would encourage anyone who is wanting to build their confidence and their skills to consider signing up for the Team programme.”

Full details of the Team programme can be found at https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/get-job/boost-your-confidence