| Opening ceremony held for successful housing scheme A PIONEERING housing project which has seen a group of youngsters gain vital training and skills has been officially opened. Banbury MP Tony Baldry delivered a speech as he opened the housing scheme on February 24. He praised the 25 youngsters who have helped build ten one-bedroom maisonettes in Miller Road, Banbury, in partnership with Cherwell District Council, global housing charity Habitat for Humanity and the Sanctuary Housing group. He said: "It's been very exciting seeing this project from its inception through to the finished building. It's been brilliant to take on young people and help them to acquire the skills and qualifications they need. Most of them have now found employment in construction industries and the finished houses look absolutely brilliant." Mr Baldry also praised the vision and contribution of youth worker Julie Donaldson who helped mentor the young people on the project but sadly passed away before the work could be completed. The Miller Road development has been named Donaldson Court in her honour. Mr Baldry said: "Julie made a huge contribution to the project and to the community." Cherwell District Council began the £1.2 million development in December 2010 after obtaining funding for half the cost from the Homes and Communities Agency. Habitat for Humanity built the maisonettes and 25 young people aged 16-25 received instruction in carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying and other skills on site. They were also given the option of moving into the properties on completion. Joel O'Brien, 17, who secured a job at Tapper Interiors Ltd while working on the project said: "I finished doing a level one carpentry and joinery course at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College but I couldn't afford to go on to study Level Two. "If it hadn't been for this scheme I'd still be at college with no money, but I stuck at it and got a complete time job out of it, so I'm well happy." |
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Opening ceremony held for successful housing scheme
