Local Community Interest Company Trades4Care (T4C) have enjoyed a successful year working with local tradesmen and young people to upgrade community, care and educational buildings around the area.
During 2022, T4C have worked with around thirty young people and carried out professional projects at a wide range of venues, including Auckland Youth and Community Centre (AYCC), Copley, Winston, Ingleton and Stainton Village Halls, the Raby Estate, Durham University’s Botanic Gardens and local care homes.
They have also recently been able to complete jobs for people in their own homes who are in need of support through illness or disability.
Biggest project
T4C’s biggest project this year was at Bridge Creative’s new centre at Henknowle which supports young adults with learning difficulties and autism.
Supporting the T4C team on this project were 12 young adults who now attend the centre with their support workers.
The work delivered was a huge success and what the young adults achieved with the support from all involved was amazing, including colourful feature walls designed by the participants.
The new centre, named COSE, is now in full operation with social spaces and offices for hire which will support the running costs of the building.
Holistic programme
Young participants on the T4C holistic programme, which includes at least one work placement on a professional project, sessions and workshops on preparing for work, and personalised coaching, benefit from a number of partnerships with organisations.
These include Bishop Auckland College, Catch 22, Durham Enable, and Bridge Creative.
Trades4Care also now work closely with the Dulux community repaint scheme on all large projects using fully recycled paint, which is great for the environment and a big cost saving for clients.
Full time apprentices
T4C are very proud of their two full time apprentices who joined after they had completed one of the T4C entry level programmes.
Cameron and Alex have had a great year, attending heritage skills courses, first aid and scaffolding training and Cameron even won an award for the quality of her college work.
Both are hoping to sit their end point assessment in September next year, which would mean they will complete their apprenticeships in two years instead of three.
This would be an amazing achievement for both of them.
They already take responsibility for mentoring participants coming onto the programmes, and are very much part of the T4C team.
“Amazing”
Charlie Wright, co-founder of T4C said: “What all the young adults who have worked with us have achieved in our communities this year is amazing.
“They have grown in confidence and technical skills while gaining new life skills and helping other organisations that do so much for people in need.
“We would just like to thank everyone who has been out to visit us on projects, who’ve supported our work, and who have had so many kind words for the young people on our program.
“We’re also really grateful for the amazing support we’ve had from Barbara and everyone at the Gaunless Gateway Big Local Partnership.”
Projects lined up
Looking forward to 2023, Charlie said: “We already have projects lined up at the People’s Museum and the Baptist Church in Bishop Auckland, the Methodist Church in Barnard Castle and Whorlton Village Hall, and there are more in the pipe-line. We’re really excited about working with more young people to increase their skills and give them an opportunity to explore whether they would like to aim at a career in trades.”
In the coming year, T4C is looking to raise some funds to lease a van with a crew-cab to get more young people to projects, and to provide more bursaries so that young people who are keen to do more work experience can be supported to return.
Anybody interested in hiring T4C to deliver work in a care or community venue, sponsoring a programme, or helping in any other way, can find out more about T4C and how to get in touch through their website.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
