Teenagers with a caring touch (From Barry And District News)

Teenagers with a caring touch

BARRY tots now have a safe place to play thanks to the town's hard-working teenagers.

Prince's Trust volunteers Samantha Westcott, 16, Becky Bennett, 17, David Williams, 17, Jamie Canning, 17 and Steven Lee, 21, were set a challenge to find a project that would not only teach them but would benefit the community.

The group approached Romilly Park Nursery and asked if they needed any work done.

Immediately, they were set the task of turning a piece of waste ground into a soft play area with safety mats.

A Romilly Park Nursery spokesman said: "We are delighted with the work done by the Prince's Trust volunteers.

They asked if they could speak to the children about what they wanted, then took the suggestions, added ideas of their own and came back.

"We gave them a budget, and they have done a fantastic job.

They have worked for three weeks solid in all weathers without a grumble.

Plus, they have plans to return and improve other parts of the garden for the children."

The materials used for the soft play area were donated by Jewsons and the cement used to level the ground was given to them by Mini Mix.

Volunteer Samantha added: "We have had a lot of help from Jewsons and many local businesses like Broad Street Garden Centre and RAN Tool Hire."

Team leader David Noble said: "The whole aim of the Prince's Trust scheme is to help further the development of the people who take part.

And seeing as seven young people out of every 10 who complete the course end up with jobs, it is a success."