Young Hartlepool residents grow new skills

Young people from a Hartlepool homelessness service are celebrating having a revamped garden in time for World Homeless Day (10 October).

Two Victoria Road residents showcase the refurbished outdoor space

Residents at Sanctuary Supported Living’s Victoria Road, which supports people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, came together over the summer to refurbish their outdoor space.

Improvements included the transformation of wooden pallets into eye-catching garden furniture, the addition of colourful artwork and a brand new barbecue area.

To mark World Homeless Day – which aims to raise awareness of the needs of homeless people – staff and residents have been enjoying spending time together in the garden.

Resident Ryan Marshall commented: “I think I speak for everyone when I say what a sense of achievement we got from the project. As well as the finished garden looking incredible, we all really enjoyed working together on the improvements.”

Sanctuary Supported Living’s support assistant, Pete Butler, added: “Having an informal place to interact with each other is important for groups of any age, but particularly so for young people, and the garden really ticks that box for them.

“The residents thrived in taking responsibility for the project and built up invaluable new skills. It was a real community effort too – several local businesses got involved and donated some much-needed items.”

The residents thrived in taking responsibility for the project and built up invaluable new skills

Pete Butler, Support Assistant

Take a look at Sanctuary Supported Living’s website for more information about homelessness support services.