Christian faith, community outreach, Finsbury Park, Islington, youth engagement, youthful gardeners,
Thursday 9th August 2012
On Saturday 4th August 11 young people from the Finsbury Park branch of the UCKG HelpCentre’s Victory Youth Group (VYG) rolled up their sleeves for a day’s heavy gardening in Islington, as one of their community outreach activities.
The Mary Tealby Peace Garden in Paradise Park, had been suffering as a result of the rainy summer, which has keep plants and weeds alike, growing fast, and gardeners stuck indoors. Following the VYG’s efforts it is now a credit to the youthful gardeners and the local heroine it is named after.
Mary Tealby set up The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs in Holloway in 1860, which later relocated and became Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Islington council recognises the importance of getting young people involved in the community. So when the UCKG HelpCentre approached the local authority offering a team of youngsters to undertake a task of benefit to the wider community as part of its We Care – Youth Engagement project, they were keen to accept.
Leonardo Rocha, one of the VYG’s young gardeners said: “The experience was great. Working hard with friends by my side in the great outdoors knowing that we were helping our community was fun and made me feel valued.”
We Care! – Youth Engagement is a community outreach project of the UCKG HelpCentre. Each year it provides an opportunity for youths who have benefitted from the VYG programme for change to give something back to the wider community.
On this occasion the tasks completed ranged from clearing rubbish, pruning plants and removing weeds to make the ecology garden area in the park more accessible to the public.
ENDS
Note to editors:
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith.
VYG (Victory Youth Group) the UCKG HelpCentre’s youth ministry, encourages young people to maximise their talents and become the best they can be.
Paradise Park is on Mackenzie Road, London N7. The Mary Tealby Peace Garden includes an area for playing boules, several permanent chess tables and raised beds with aromatic plants.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or call 020 7686 6033.
