Eco Talented Ealing Adults Graduate

New volunteer scheme helping the local environment

A group of young adults in Ealing have 'graduated' from a new green volunteer scheme.

They've completed the Eco Talent project which gave them the opportunity to complete a variety of outdoor tasks including planting wild flowers in Gunnersbury Park and helping the park rangers at Horsenden Hill to clear land in preparation for the new Gruffalo Trail.

While on the programme, volunteers also spent one day a week training to gain qualifications.

Scheme graduate Yinka Adenusi said: “‘Eco talent was a great opportunity to make friends and gain experience. I really enjoyed it and after the programme I literally had so many new skills and achievements that I can add onto my CV that employers love.”

Eco Talent, managed by VInspired and delivered through Ealing Council, is part of the Our Bright Future portfolio – which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and run by a consortium of eight organisations led by The Wildlife Trusts charity.

Jessica Taplin, the chief executive of the youth volunteering charity, Vinspired and Peter Ainsworth from the Big Lottery Fund were among the guests at the graduation.

Cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Binda Rai said: “Congratulations and a big thank you to all our graduates, who have boosted their career prospects at the same time as having made a valuable contribution to our borough’s parks and youth services.”

Applications are now open for the next Eco Talent programme which begins in November.

Volunteers will need to commit for up to six months from November to April. They will attend a volunteering placement, attend training to gain qualifications and will spend time running an environmental project in the community.

Participants will receive expenses, gain experience and accreditations for completing a range of short courses. If a young person is claiming benefits they should remain unaffected by being on the scheme but volunteers should seek individual advice.

Applications for the next intake of volunteers close on Sunday, 23 October 2016.
For more information or to apply, email the team on beinspired@ealing.gov.uk or contact 07595 792 738 or call Connexions on 020 8825 8573 or check out www.YoungEaling.co.uk

5 October 2016