around the park, Christian Church, Christian faith, community gardening, their local communities, their own time, youth engagement, Youth Group,
Friday 24th July 2015
For the second year running, members of the Victory Youth Group (VYG) made a valuable contribution to the maintenance of Castlehaven Community Park in Camden through their annual We Care! – Youth Engagement initiative.
This time the work took place on Saturday 18 July, when eight volunteers from the Kilburn and Willesden branches cleaned up an area that was to be used for a festival the following week.
The VYG team removed weeds that were growing in cracks in the pavement, and watered established plants and freshly planted shrubs. They dug spaces for additional shrubs, and removed rubbish that was littered around the park.
Sean Courtman, Castlehaven’s community gardening coordinator complimented the youths saying that they had been a lot of help, and was particularly appreciative of their work in clearing a large area of branches that were obstructing a path. He added that they would be welcome to come back and help again in the future.
The youths who took part said it was fun although they hadn’t necessarily expected that to be the case. Louise Adjei from Willesden mentioned that gardening was very peaceful and relaxing; she could see why people would do this in their own time.
Others reported that they would be willing to volunteer again even before next year’s We Care! event. Jessica Tannor from Kilburn said: “Our host was very welcoming and accommodating. There was a lot to learn from him and his knowledge of plants.”
The way We Care! – Youth Engagement is set up, is that the UCKG, a charity and Pentecostal church, approaches local authorities everywhere it has established HelpCentres. Arrangements are made for teams of youths from its local VYG branches to undertake tasks of benefit to the wider community, with the joint aims of making a positive difference and combatting negative stereotypes of young people, particularly in the capital.
Kim Powell the UCKG HelpCentre’s Community Outreach Coordinator said: “Youths are often blamed for causing trouble and disturbances. Yet, as we know in the VYG, many young people are really keen to make a positive impact in their local communities. We hope this community outreach initiative will help to encourage positive attitudes toward young people.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort and welcomes all-comers. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.
VYG is the UCKG HelpCentre’s youth group. Open to 15 – 25 year olds, the VYG provides family-style peer group support and helps and encourages the young to be the best that they can be.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.
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