Posted: 17/12/24
Trades students ‘branch out’ with outdoor volunteering project
A snapshot of how the grounds looked before, during and after the students’ hard work
Construction students swapped their workshops at the college’s Old Brewery campus for a dental surgery last week.
This was all in aid of a make-over – not for their teeth but for a Mansfield town centre dental practice’s grounds and car park.
Jackson and Rigby Dental Practice’s manager Trudi Cantrell contacted the college to enquire if any students would be willing to dig them out of a problem – namely, their over-grown garden and car park.
Two groups of level 1 plastering and level 1 carpentry and joinery students stood up to the challenge and, over a two-day period, used their practical skills and teamwork to successfully clear overgrown shrubbery and trees, remove dense ivy from fences, trees and walls, and scrape moss embedded in the car park’s gravel at the Leeming Street practice.
The two groups worked in half-day shifts, equipped with loppers, saws, spades and secateurs to remove and dispose of the overgrown foliage.
They were supervised throughout the project by youth worker Ruth Lee and curriculum site lead in plastering and foundation construction Jamie Higgins, ensuring health and safety practices were observed.
Ruth said: “I am absolutely amazed at the amount of work the students did. When we first arrived, there was only enough room for three staff vehicles in the car park – it was so overgrown with ivy, roots and trees, and there was also litter.
“Everyone worked hard together to cut everything back and bag it up, so that it’s a much more pleasant and viable car park for staff who work there.”
Trudi, who initiated the project, said: “The students have been absolutely brilliant. They worked so hard and professionally. The amount of ivy growing around the perimeter of the grounds was breaking fences and hiding walls, and it just looked unsightly.
“My boss gave me the go ahead to look into getting it cleared so I reached out to the college to see if any of the students would be willing to come along and get some experience while helping us out.
“Every time I looked out of the window they were busy and working so hard to clear as much as possible.
“Simply cutting back the tree at the front has given back so much light into the downstairs surgery, it’s amazing. They discovered the tree was diseased so quite a bit of it was removed.
“It’s made a big difference to our car park, both visually and practically, so a massive thank you to everyone who helped.”
Jackson and Rigby kindly donated £100 to the curriculum’s enrichment funds and kept the students refreshed with drinks throughout the worthwhile project.
Well done to everyone who took part and made a difference.
Check out this video to see the amazing transformation.
