Building foundations for a better future

Four residents have grabbed the opportunity to get work experience at a construction site close to where they live.

Work started on a new garden on the Wenlake estate off Old Street,  last month and the design team - Parklife, supported by EC1 New Deal for Communities (NDC) have given work experience placements to people living in the area.

The placements are aimed at young people who are not at school and out of work, to inspire them to consider construction work as a career.

Three young people; Paul Kulscar, (aged 16) Jake Wiggins, (age 17) and Steve Gordon (age17) are making the most of the opportunity and learning new skills.

Fourth resident; 28-year-old Danny Hooker, was an out-of-work carpenter and has put his skills to use building a decked area, a giant swing bench, sand pit and climbing frame. He has been inspired to get back into work full-time.

Paul Kulscar said: “It tired me out at first, but now I really enjoy it and I’m going to find out how I can have a career doing this type of work.”

The new garden at Wenlake Estate is funded by EC1 New Deal for Communities, Islington Council and the Tenant Management Organisation and is the first step in a £1million project to improve the outside areas in and around Wenlake Estate and two further estates in the EC1 NDC area.

Matthew Humphreys, Chair of the EC1 NDC board, and resident on the Wenlake estate said: “We are pleased to support a scheme that gives residents such great work experience opportunities so close to where they live. The new garden looks great and that’s thanks to local people getting stuck in and helping out.”