News

A new ‘green’ partnership between One Vision Housing and Green Apprentices has been given support by local celebrity Ricky Tomlinson.

The ‘Rejuvenate’ scheme, which aims to tackle long term unemployment and address longstanding environmental problems in Sefton, got the thumbs up from the star of the BBC’s popular programme The Royle Family.

The new social enterprise scheme has seen the creation of a team of ‘Green Apprentices’ who directly target grot spots in One Vision Housing estates across Sefton. They address problems such as fly-tipping, graffiti and littering, whilst working towards a recognised qualification.

The aim of the scheme is to provide the long term unemployed and those lacking basic skills and formal qualifications with the opportunity to gain an NVQ Level 2 in Local Environmental Services and the experience to assist them to find full time employment.
Speaking at the public launch of the Rejuvenate project Ricky said: “This scheme is an excellent example of how young people who may have found it difficult to get into work in the past can get a foot up the ladder whilst helping out in their local community.

“I think it is a wonderful concept and especially in the current environment it can be seen as a way of encouraging young people into work in a supportive and constructive way.”

One Vision Housing Chairman Darren Hardy, said: “One Vision Housing is committed to ensuring that the open spaces and communal areas within our estates are as clean, safer and attractive as possible.

“But we also have a responsibility to the people within our communities to provide help and support to those who need it. This initiative will provide those disaffected people with the experience, tools and confidence to enter the world of work whilst helping aid the regeneration of their wider community.”

For more information please call One Vision Housing on 0300 365 1111 or visit the OVH website www.ovh.org.uk .