Over the past eight weeks, young people from Coleford have been working with the YMCA Mendip project team to do something positive for their local community.

Young people aged between eleven and nineteen-years-old took part in the project, after it was decided that they would clear rubbish from the woods linking Beacon View and Mendip Vale; a popular place for people on bikes and residents walking dogs.

The young people made ‘please do not litter’ signs, and helped complete risk assessments leading up to the litter pick that took place on 15th August.

The project team and young people, accompanied by NCS students, spent two hours clearing rubbish from the woods; over ten black bags, glass, metal, sheets of wood and motorbike parts were all found and disposed of.

As a reward for their hard work, the Youth Project Team arranged for a shelter to be installed for the whole community to use.

Wood was kindly donated by James Blundell, from Charltons Timber Store. Stewart Bryant built the shelter, and erected it with the help of Jason Doherty – both husbands of the Project Team management.

An end of project BBQ was held on 22nd August outside the shelter, to thank those that helped and to celebrate the work of the young people.

YMCA Mendip are very proud of the young people that took part, proving how much they care about their community. YMCA Mendip would like to thank everyone involved that helped and donated their time and materials.

Alison Bryant