Young volunteers encourage others to respect environment through summer project
Young people have spent a second summer carrying out work at the Sea Terminal and surrounding area.
Volunteers aged 11 to 17 gave up 15 hours each to clean up the passenger walkway and continue work started last year on improving the wall that separates the car park from the sea.
The fortnight-long project was led by Café Laare in Lord Street, which is run by the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service.
Emma Macaulay, Area Youth Worker, said:
‘Young people congregate at the Sea Terminal and, while the majority are well-behaved, there are instances of anti-social behaviour, such as littering and bad language.
‘Café Laare is firmly part of the community and its members want to actively contribute to it.
‘Our 10 volunteers worked hard each afternoon carrying out cleaning and decorating tasks before returning to the café for a debrief.
‘They worked in the public eye, developed skills such as teamwork and have a sense of ownership of the areas they have worked on.
‘It’s hoped these young people inspire their peers to respect their environment and refrain from causing problems.
‘In completing the project, the young people have also gained valuable workplace skills.’
The project ran in conjunction with the Department of Infrastructure, which manages the Sea Terminal and surrounds.
As a reward for their work, the young people will enjoy a trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company covering the cost of travel to and from England and coach transfers between Liverpool and Blackpool.
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward added:
‘This project is an opportunity for young people to learn new skills, meet new people and get actively involved in the community, while helping to improve the look of the Sea Terminal. I hope they have enjoyed their time on the project and have fun on their trip to Blackpool.’
