Dreamscheme arrives in Purton

Pictured: young people from the Purton area who took part in the Dreamscheme project in late August

Young people from Purton, Cricklade and Wootton Bassett took time out of their school holidays to help clean up Purton during this summer's Dreamscheme.

Tools and equipment were provided by Westlea Housing whose staff also gave a safety demonstration before work began. Dreamscheme is organised by Wiltshire County Council and run during school holidays giving young people the opportunity to work within the community in order to receive a reward. This year those involved went away on a three day camping trip to the New Forest to celebrate their achievements.

The volunteers cleared litter from outside the youth development centre in Purton and around the village itself. They also took part in some hedge trimming over their two day clear up in August.

Gareth Brown, youth development coordinator at the county council, said: "The young people worked effectively as a team over the two days, and had a positive impact on their local community."

Helen Barbrook, neighbourhood involvement manager at Westlea Housing, said: "It's great to see the scheme extend into new areas following the success we have had previously in Calne, Corsham and Chippenham. We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the county council's development service for young people and the impact it is having in local communities."

Mr Spires, head of Bradon Forest Secondary School in Purton, and members of the local community also complemented the young people on their hard work.

Kayt Joslyn, 15, from Purton youth centre, said: "We're making the environment in Purton a nicer place for everyone."

Amy Terry, 15, from Wootton Bassett youth centre, said: "It's fun, we're meeting new people and being rewarded for our hard work."

Robbie Stubbs, 16, from Wootton Bassett youth centre and Josh Fry, 13, from Cricklade youth centre, said: "It's different, we get to be proud of our community."

This was the first year the Dreamscheme was extended to include Purton, Cricklade, Wootton Bassett and Malmesbury.
The scheme had already run successfully for several years in Calne, Corsham and Chippenham organised by the street-based youth work team that is co-funded by Wiltshire County Council's development service For young people in partnership with Westlea Housing.