Construction and maintenance apprentices in Derby put their skills to good use by giving a church and community centre a huge facelift, writes Paul Offord.

Brownies, Cubs, Girl Guides and a parent and toddler group are just a handful of the regular users of an East Midlands community centre and church who are benefiting from the hard work of local apprentices.

An Asian over 60s group, plus taekwondo learners and members of an exercise class have also seen first-hand the transformation of Sinfin Moor Church and Community Centre, in Derby, which is used by more than 700 worshippers every week.

Built in 1975, it had become badly rundown and church-goers were struggling to find the funds for a much-needed revamp.

So, in stepped Derby Homes with its 20 apprentices, aged from 16 to 27, who are all at level two and three and who do their training with Derby College.

Level two building maintenance apprentice Nigel Duffus, aged 20, said: “It was such a big place that I wondered how we would get it all done in time when I first saw it.

“But it gave me lots of satisfaction as we gradually did it all. All the apprentices worked really hard and I think we made a good team.”

In just five days they pulled out the church’s old kitchen and fitted new appliances, as well as connecting gas and water to the new cooker and sink.

They fitted new double-glazed windows and completely repainted the whole of the inside of the church and connected community centre.

The team also installed damp-proofing, air vents, new doors and re-plastered the former vestry room, which was converted into a storage room for a large lawnmower.

Level two and three construction and maintenance learners from the Royal School for the Deaf Derby also helped out along with other staff from Derby Homes and local building and decorating firms.

Church treasurer Stewart Ian Sant said: “We desperately needed to upgrade the kitchen facilities and redecorate the main hall and approached Derby Homes to see if they could help. The apprentices have done a fantastic job.”

Construction lecturer Bill Bentley, who worked as site manager, said: “Sometimes it is harder to replicate work in a college workshop than it is to do it in the real world.

“We decided to look for a worthwhile cause that would allow them to demonstrate all the skills they have learned and the church was perfect.”

“We are really proud of our apprentices,” said Annabelle Barwick, apprenticeships manager at Derby Homes.

“And we wanted to say — ‘look they’ve been with us eight months now and look what they can do’.”

Mrs Barwick estimated they saved the church £25,000 on the cost of labour and building materials, which were donated by local firms.

She said: “It is a huge, huge building. The people at the church were also really bowled over by the work our apprentices did and they can feel very proud of themselves.”

Cap: Derby Homes apprentices and staff at Sinfin Moor Church and Community Centre

 

Students from 30 sixth form colleges took part in a United Nations-style event at Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College.

The event, at the college in Birmingham, was opened by journalist John McCarthy CBE, who was held hostage from 1986 to 1991in the Lebanon.

Around 300 students represented 40 countries and acted as delegates from UN member states. They worked in committees that focused on a range of issues including human rights, disarmament and the environment.

They also took part in debates on resolutions for global issues such as violence against women and Palestinian refugees.

Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College principal Elly Tobin said:  “This event was particularly exciting given the current situation in Crimea, as heated debates between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took on a particular air of realism that went beyond even the usual high standard of informed and insightful commentary by students.”

Cap: dozens of sixth form students waving their banners outside Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College

Doncaster College students raised over £600 for Sports Relief with the help of Doncaster Rovers players Alex Peterson and Josh Meade.

The professional footballers, who attended the college from 2011 to 2013, made a 15 minute sponsored dash around the college campus and collected £97 sponsorship from staff and students.

Students and staff were sponsored to cycle 22 miles between the four college campus sites across town.

Other fundraising events included a bungee run, sumo wrestling and a balloon hopping race.

College sport organisor Craig Robinson said: “The fundraising activities were a huge success. In addition to raising money for Sports Relief, it raised the profile of what the college has to offer in terms of sporting activities.”

Cap: from left: Alex Peterson and Josh Meade

East Durham College catering students prepared healthy dishes for elderly residents at a care home.

The group of five level two learners visited Ashwood Park Care Home, in Durham, which provides residential and nursing care.

They prepared a special low-fat shepherd’s pie and a diabetic carrot and currant cake, using sweetener rather than sugar.

The idea behind the visit, which was in celebration of nutrition and hydration week, was to give students practical experience of working in a commercial kitchen.

Catering lecturer Lynn Smith also hoped the students’ visit had given catering staff at the home fresh ideas about healthier dining options for residents.

She said: “It was great to be able to go out and show our support for nutrition and hydration week. We had a fantastic afternoon at Ashworth and we hope our input can have a beneficial effect in the future.”

Cap: Sophie Ord, aged 18, preparing shepherd’s pie.

Chancellor George Osborne was given bricklaying tips by an apprentice.

Mr Osborne visited a site in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where construction firm Barratt homes is building 800 new homes.

He was shown how to build a wall by level one bricklaying apprentice Tom Fyfe, aged 16, who works for Barratt and does his training with North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

Tom said: “I’m still learning how to be a bricklayer, but I was able to pass on some bricklaying skills to Mr Osborne.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m really enjoying the course.”

The chancellor’s visit followed his announcement, in last week’s budget, that a scheme providing employers with grants of up to £1,500 for each apprentice they train had been extended to 2016.

The apprenticeship grants for employers (AGE) scheme, which will be funded with £85m in both 2014/15 and 2015/16, had originally been due to end in December.

Cap: George Osborne lifting a breeze block and apprentice Tom Fyfe

A South Cheshire College student has proved she has a way with words after seeing her work appear in two poetry anthologies.

Lydia Eccleston entered a competition, along with thousands of other budding poets from across the country, to get her work printed by United Press.

The 17-year-old English literature, English language and philosophy A-level student was one of 200 poets chosen by the publisher for anthology Between the Lines, which featured her poem, called Blood Black and Truth Blue.

United Press then decided to use another of her poems, called Beautiful Addiction, in its National Poetry Anthology for 2014.

First year dance students have also choreographed a routine to a recording of her reading Beautiful Addiction. Lecturers are planning to use more of her poems for routines in future.

Lydia said: “I write at least one poem a day in my spare time and decided to start sending some of my work to national publications and entering competitions to see whether it would capture the imagination.

“I was thrilled to have my poem published in the National Poetry Anthology which felt like a real achievement.”

Dance lecturer Kema Ekpei said: “When we became aware of Lydia’s poetry talent, we had some of her poems professionally recorded and they are being used as backing tracks for student dance routines.” She is a very talented individual.”

Cap: Lydia Eccleston writes  a poem in her notepad