WELLER COMMUNITY CENTRE

Young people on London Irish Foundation project create “hangout” space

at Caversham Community Centre

A team of young people on an education project delivered by the London Irish Foundation have created an outdoor meeting space for teenagers at the Weller Centre in Lower Caversham, Reading.

Previously, teenagers from the area who congregated at the Centre did not have a “hangout area” where they could sit and socialise with their friends, that was until the young people from the project, which is part of a Prince’s Trust programme, got involved.

Participants on the 12 week course have to undertake a practical project that will benefit their local community.  The course leader, Vicky Tzanetis from the London Irish Foundation, identified the opportunity to work with the Weller Centre, a thriving local community hub, and create an attractive outdoor space for young people to meet.

The Centre had an unused section of its grounds that was overgrown with vegetation and made it available.  Over three weeks the area was transformed by course participants into an attractive space complete with seating.  Much ingenuity and hard work went into the transformation which was accomplished with generous support from local organisations and businesses including TCV (The Conservation Volunteers), HSS-Reading and Glendale Tree Services.

Commenting on the project, Vicky Tzanetis of London Irish Foundation said, “The end result is something the students are really proud of.  We had some very hot weather while the work was underway but together we completed it and hope the teenagers enjoy spending time in their new hangout.”

The project is part of the Prince’s Trust “Youth can do it” programme, a 12 week course that involves education and training in a range of work-related skills for young people, that is delivered in the Reading area by the London Irish