Synergy Staff Dig Deep For Community
6/9/2009
Staff from Synergy Housing Group have
been putting the finishing touches to a community garden in
Weymouth.
A team of volunteers, led by Weymouth
and Portland Housing managing director Kevin Dey, rolled up their
sleeves and dug deep alongside members of the Westham Youth
Forum.
The piece of wasteland in Bedford
Road, Westham, has been transformed into an area that can now be
enjoyed by local residents, young and old.
The driving force behind the £10,000
project is youth forum chairman, 16-year-old Ryan Hope.
Ryan said: "The garden is looking
really good. I’m proud of the kids as this is their first big
project with the youth forum. We have had so many positive comments
as people are walking past.
"We are trying to break down barriers
between generations and this project has been a really big help in
that.
"Everyone has worked so hard and I'd
just like to say thank you to Kevin Dey and all the guys from WPH
and Synergy for giving up their time to get involved.""
Ryan and his young team did much of
the work, but the crew from Synergy laid the patio and decking,
built a barbecue, and assembled fencing.
They were the final tweaks to the
nautical-themed garden, complete with four boats used as planters
and oyster shells for decoration.
Mr Dey explained: "The land used
belongs to the WPH so we had a big interest in it, and we felt the
youth forum has got so much energy and enthusiasm that we wanted to
support them with practical help.
"It is such a wonderful thing to see
kids being positive and doing something for the community. We were
only too happy to help and the youngsters have been a pleasure to
work with. hey should be very proud."
Weymouth and Portland Borough
Council community development officer Julie Hursthouse said it
has been a good example of the whole community pitching in.
The youngest resident lending a hand
was aged four, and the oldest aged 82.
"Community space is lacking in the
Westham area," said Mrs Hursthouse. "It is truly amazing as it has
got the community working together with many partner agencies.
"It is very heart-warming, especially in this time of recession,
that people have come forward and donated things."