A group of apprentices and employees from international engineering firm Nylacast, recently spent a day clearing land in preparation for new trees being planted this winter at a local community project.
Seven engineering apprentices from Nylacast’s Academy, along with their training officer recently visited Saffron Acres as part of a team challenge. Through association with local charity Leicestershire Cares, the volunteering apprentices spent the day clearing weeds and brambles on the site ready for new trees which will be planted this November.
The keen gardeners used the team challenge not only to build on their team working skills, but to give back to the local area and contribute to the local community. Luciano Lawrence, who was team leader for the day commented, “The team challenge resulted in a great day out to give back to the local community. It was good getting to know new people and also getting to know the other apprentices and gelling together outside of our regular work environment. An amazing day all together.”
Saffron Acres is part of a large community project working with the local community, schools and long term unemployed. The charity recently gained a large area of dis-used land on which to develop affordable eco-housing along with plans to plant over 800 fruit trees this winter to create a community orchard, which will be a beautiful legacy for the local community.
Nylacast training officer who also participated in the ground clearing said, “All the Apprentices worked really hard and made a great impact on clearing the space required by Saffron Heath for planting the orchard trees this winter. Luciano made a very visible team leader in his bright yellow jumper, and he did really well to get the team working together and motivated. It was so nice to see them all getting along so well outside of the normal work environment and getting to know each other better.”