A team of young people taking part in a major local youth development programme have unveiled their hard work and transformation of a community garden.

The group, who are taking part in the Prince’s Trust Team Programme spent a week designing and creating the garden at the Athersley North Community Shop, a hub for local people on low incomes to meet socially and take part in workshops and training classes.

The Prince’s Trust Team Programme is being delivered by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police from Barnsley fire station. Team Programme is a 12 week course for unemployed 16 to 25 year olds, offering work experience, qualifications, practical training and a residential development week.

The programme encourages the young people to nominate their own community project, with those on the current scheme choosing to transform this community garden for the local people.  A new footpath and patio area have been created, along with new plants and shrubs and the team even produced handmade garden furniture.

The group were able to fund the transformation after raising cash from a car wash and sponsored walk the week before.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Team Leader Rhian Oxley said: “Team Programme is about more than simply boosting young people’s employment skills. It gives them hope, confidence and the opportunity to make a difference.

“The community project the young people have been involved in is the perfect proof of what they can achieve and the self-belief which they can transfer to their future lives.”