Published on:
17
May 2012
Clackmannanshire Council's Community Wardens team gave their full support and backing to a group of unemployed who carried out two environmental projects in two locations in the county.
A group of 10 participants did a terrific job, to help maintain the Community garden at Hawkhill Community Centre, as well as doing a litter pick and clean up of the Devonway from Sauchie to Tillicoultry.
The work, carried out over three days, was organised by ASCEnt to Employment, a social enterprise based in Stirling with charitable objectives that provides employability services and training. The council's Community Warden's team, in conjunction with the Stirling based social enterprise group, helped in the planning and supervision of the project.
Head of Community and Regulatory Services, John Gillespie, said: "A running theme during the overall 10 week programme is the importance of communities, encouraging participants to be more socially aware and to take pride in the areas they live in."
The community project consisted of two elements, beginning with a clean up of Hawkhill Community Centre's garden, where the learners spent two days digging up the turf and weeds in order for new turf or bark and new plants. This was followed on the final day with a litter pick along the Devon Way, from Sauchie to Tillicoultry.
Ally Scott, Learning Adviser for ASCEnt Scotland, said: "We actively encourage the participants to engage in the project on every level in order for them to achieve maximum value and to create a sense of ownership.
"This also increases employability skills through team building, planning, project management, leadership skills, risk assessments, communication skills, health and safety awareness and motivation."
It is a programme delivered on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions which gives unemployed people who are 18 years and over the opportunity to build their confidence, their experience and their employability skills to enable them to make positive strides in their career and life choices.