Youngsters do a good turn for the elderly in Dalston

While other people their age basked in the sun, a group of 11 unemployed youngsters spent their free time last week making over the garden of an elderly day care centre in Dalston.

The group spent a week weeding flower beds, planting seeds and flowers, sanding down and varnishing wooden benches and tables at the Marie Lloyd Day Care Centre in Queensbridge Road, Hackney. They also bought new garden furniture such as chairs and parasols so the elderly residents could sit out in the garden in comfort.

The group spent the week before raising £250 to fund the project through events such as guess how many sweets are in the jar, baking and selling cupcakes, and egg throwing at a target.

Amina Hafhi, 19, of Tower Hamlets, said: “I found it really rewarding as you are interacting with elderly people and you can see how it brightens their day. We brightened the garden up and it was nice to see how it cheered them up. We all made a couple of friends and are planning to visit them again.”

The young people are currently completing a 12 week programme organised by The Prince’s Trust to equip them with the skills and confidence to find a job.

For more information about the programme, contact Lelani Lewis at lelani.lewis@princes-trust.org.uk.