Community Task Force get working at Wigan Parish Church

Wigan Parish Church, a Grade 2 listed church dating back to 1100, is calling on the local youth for a makeover.  The Church, which has previously been supported by the English Heritage and Historic Churches Preservation Trust for restoration, is getting a makeover with the help of 15 local young people, who are painting the 150 metres gates surrounding the church and are participating in TNGs Community Task Force (CTF) programme in Wigan.

CTF is part of the wider Young Persons Guarantee available to all customers aged 18-24 who are approaching 12 months unemployment.  Offering up to a maximum of six months work experience of benefit to the community, CTF is designed primarily to enhance the employability and work related skills of young people and increase their chanced of entering sustained employment.

Since starting work at the Parish on 9^th July 2010, the group have achieved amazing results and have been praised by worshipers at the Church and the local community as a whole.  In fact, the project has been so successful that Rector Ray Hutchinson has asked TNG to stay on and renovate their garden railings.

The youngsters working on the project  include 20 year old Chris Taylor, who prior to joining CTF had no work experience .  He said:  "I left school with little qualifications, that coupled with a long period of unemployment has left me with little confidence about myself, my skills and what I have to offer a future employer.  The CTF programme has helped me to identify the skills I do have and provide me with a sense of purpose and responsibility.  I have really enjoying being part of it and giving something back to my local community."

Ashley Wainwright-Taylor, who was made redundant last year from a construction firm, added: "I’ve got experience in construction having gained qualifications in joinery and site maintenance, but the CTF programme helped me get back on track after I was made redundant.  I have made some good friends, who are in a similar situation to my own and have made me realise that my situation is not unique."