Pupils from Kingdown School have been helping to improve the environment at the Lake Pleasure Grounds through a partnership with the town council.
A group of Year 7 and 8 students worked with the council’s Parks and Estates team to build bug hotels, help prepare boats for the Spring in the Park event and support general park maintenance.
“I felt that there was a need for our young people to connect with the natural environment, make positive links with the local community and show just how fantastic our young people in Warminster are,” said Sarah Miller, head of house for Lord’s House at the school. “I contacted the town council just over a year ago to suggest that we develop links and they have been amazingly supportive in suggesting all kinds of projects.”
Groups of around six students take part in sessions with the council for a short project period. Heads of house nominate pupils who they feel would benefit from the opportunity, with new groups formed each term. Previous projects have included work in the Warminster Community Orchard and building bird boxes for the town.
“The students have shown amazing teamwork, an awareness of skills that they did not know they had, felt real pride in contributing to things that are of benefit to the whole community,” said Sarah.
“It’s good for young people to be active within their communities, especially at a time when social isolation seems to be on the rise. It opens up their eyes to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes every day in maintaining the beautiful spaces we have access to in Warminster.”
