Kevin Davies continued his highly commendable work as Bolton Wanderers Prince’s Trust ambassador last week when he visited a community centre in Westhoughton to see first-hand the refurbishment work that the current Bolton Prince’s Trust team have undertaken as part of their 12-week development programme.
As part of the Team programme, the young adults select a local facility to renovate for their community project and then fundraise to cover the cost of the work needed. After doing some research on facilities in the area, Bolton Team 31 chose Westhoughton’s Communiversity as the venue which they felt would benefit most from some refurbishment work. The money for the work was raised by a bag pack at Marks and Spencer as well as sourcing raffle prizes from local shops and organisations.
They also received support from business people in the local community who offered their services free of charge.
The 11 Prince’s Trust members, all aged between 16 and 25, spent nine days repairing and decorating the activity room and held a competition with Eatock Primary School in Daisy Hill to design a logo for the Communiversity. Once the work was completed they hosted an official opening where local school children and community groups could have a look around the revamped centre and club captain Kevin went along to catch up with Bolton Team 31 and see their impressive work.
Kevin has been working with The Prince’s Trust for over seven years and visits each Team throughout the three month programme to spend time with them offering them advice and guidance as well as seeing how they are developing as individuals and as a group as a result of the skills and qualifications they are earning.
After cutting the ribbon to officially open the Communiversity Kevin said: “I’ve been really impressed by this current Prince’s Trust Team – they have worked incredibly hard for nine days to really revamp this centre and the before and after photos that I’ve seen today show that. The activity room is looking bright and fresh and I’m sure that the local community will benefit from it and hopefully it will attract some more bookings.
“Each Prince’s Trust Team group that I meet is different and they all get a lot out of this programme. I enjoy working with them; listening to them and finding out where they are in their lives now and where they want to end up as a result of the programme. If I can help them in any small way then it makes it all worthwhile.”
The Prince’s Trust 12-week personal development programme aims to help young adults develop self-confidence and the social skills that it is hoped will give them the chance to pursue the careers of their choice. The programme, delivered by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, offers participants a nationally recognised qualification, help with job-hunting and the chance to gain new skills.
For more information on how to get involved with The Prince’s Trust Team programme visit http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/courses/team.aspx