Bassetlaw: Youngsters improving green spaces

Dozens of young people from across Bassetlaw are working hard to improve green spaces in their community through a national scheme.
Young people from North Notts College helped to clean up the area around Sandhill Lake as part of the National Citizen Service programme.  Pictured with them are Coun Julie Leigh and tutors Mick Cox, Dawn Meakin and ex-student Liam Broadley (w130806-3a)Young people from North Notts College helped to clean up the area around Sandhill Lake as part of the National Citizen Service programme.  Pictured with them are Coun Julie Leigh and tutors Mick Cox, Dawn Meakin and ex-student Liam Broadley (w130806-3a)
Young people from North Notts College helped to clean up the area around Sandhill Lake as part of the National Citizen Service programme. Pictured with them are Coun Julie Leigh and tutors Mick Cox, Dawn Meakin and ex-student Liam Broadley (w130806-3a)

More than 80 youngsters have taken part in the National Citizen Service programme , which is being run by Bassetlaw Council and North Notts College.

The scheme aims to encourage 16 and 17-year-olds to build their skills for work and life by taking part in a four-week programme over the summer holidays.

In Bassetlaw, youngsters have been on an outdoor residential to Northamptonshire and a week’s stay at Nottingham University, during which they planned and raised funds for the next part of the scheme. This second phase will see students work with the council’s parks and open spaces unit to develop their work skills while improving local green spaces.

The project in Kings’ park includes carrying out repairs to paths, planting herbaceous plants, tending to flower beds and working on the rose garden.

Coun Julie Leigh, cabinet member for neighbourhoods was delighted with the programme.

She said: “I have been out to some of the projects and have been impressed by the young people undertaking the work and I hope that they gain skills and valuable experience.”

“They have given up four weeks of their holiday to make a difference, not only for themselves but for their local communities. They should be congratulated for their initiative and their sense of citizenship.”