[M]EMBERS of the Copeland community joined together on Friday (April 27) to spruce up the grounds of Brackenthwaite care home.
The tidy-up organised by the Copeland Hub and pupils of the Future Pathways programme, saw the grounds transformed into a colourful oasis.
Representatives from Copeland Borough Council, Morgan Sindall, Home Group and Cumbria Constabulary, rolled up their sleeves alongside pupils from Energy Coast UTC and St James C of E Junior school.
The group gathered together to pick litter, plant flowers, garden, bake cakes and repaint benches.
McDonalds at Whitehaven sponsored the event by providing litter picking equipment, tabards, waste bags, a member of staff and vouchers for the student’s lunches.
Two van loads of waste were removed from the grounds by Copeland Borough Council’s waste team.
Cory McCullough, Energy Coast UTC student, aged 15, said: “It’s good to be here today. It’s great to give back to my local community.”
Harry Harper, Energy Coast UTC student, aged 14, said: “It’s been inspirational and very eye opening.”
Louise Coid, Manager of Copeland Hub, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the students from the UTC.
“Generational barriers have been broken down here today with participants of all ages banding together to rejuvenate the grounds, which are enjoyed by the residents of the care home.
“An enormous amount of effort and hard work has gone into the event and it’s fantastic to see people of all ages rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty for such a great cause.
“We’d like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of the organisations that made the event possible.”
Lisa Tugman, Brackenthwaite Care Home Manager, said: “The future pathways project has been a huge success, our residents have had a fantastic day. It was just lovely to see our residents smiling, laughing and the energy it created around the home.”
Thank you to all donors namely; Copeland Borough Council, Cumbria Constabulary, McDonalds, Morgan Sindall, Blomfields, West Coast Composting, Whitehaven Garden Centre, Wilko, and Men in Sheds.
Copeland Hub is a partnership between Copeland Borough Council and Cumbria Constabulary, which works together with partner agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour and organise community projects.
The Hub has expanded its role from bringing agencies together to tackle issues, to proactively organising activities and projects for the benefit of the community. This includes the Future Pathways scheme that introduces groups of youngsters to a range of sporting and social activities in Whitehaven.
As part of the ten-week programme the pupils have undertaken canoeing and other activities, alongside confidence building and team building exercises.
