Eco development work for young

Unemployed youngsters in Derbyshire are being given the opportunity to find long-term employment through an environmentally friendly housing refurbishment scheme.

This innovative scheme will transform five formerly run down and unoccupied houses into attractive, eco-friendly homes.

Each of the three-storey homes originally built in the early 1900s, is being fitted with solar panels for water heating, photo voltaic panels for electricity, rain water harvesting equipment for water supply to toilets, and dry lining insulation to ensure maximum heat retention.

The agency Meden Valley Making Places (MVMP), has linked up with Groundwork Creswell to offer the local unemployed young people valuable training and work experience on the development.

An initial group of six trainees are participating in a 13-week Return To Work programme which will equip them with such construction skills as bricklaying, joinery and block paving. In addition they will receive health and safety training, leading to a CSCS card, which is required to work on construction sites.

At the end of the 13 weeks, the group will be given help to find employment, including job search assistance and help writing their CV.

A second group of trainees will then get their chance to work on a second scheme, which is on schedule for completion in August, with plans for the homes then to be sold on the open market.

Gary Kirk, Chief Executive of Meden Valley Making Places, said:

"This is a scheme that will benefit the local community in so many ways. Not only will formerly derelict properties become attractive and environmentally friendly places to live, but a number of local youngsters will be given a real opportunity to gain valuable experience and forge a career for themselves in the construction sector.

He added:

"Our collaboration with Groundwork Creswell on this project is a clear demonstration of how organisations can work in partnership to the overall advantage of an area and local people."

Groundwork Creswell has secured £25,000 of funding from the Energy Saving Trust towards the project.