North West based charitable company Calico Enterprise has organised a team of painters and decorators with Parkway Green Housing Trust, Wythenshawe, to decorate property exteriors across the region.
The ‘PG Gateway’ painting project, which will run for 12 months, aims to provide them with a chance to develop the skills they need to get employed, helping them to a new start.
Four trainees have been recruited from the local area, alongside a qualified painter and a supervisor through the ‘Get into Housing’ project, a group of 16 housing providers across Manchester and Salford, who developed a Talent Pool of residents who will be able to apply for and access vacancies.
All have faced multiple barriers when attempting to gain employment in the past, but the PG Gateway scheme will help to open up future career options, giving them a chance in life.
The trainees have found the project to be extremely beneficial.
Martin Chantrell, 44, said: “I’m really enjoying it – it’s another string to my bow. In a short space of time, I have learnt to prepare, paint and finish professionally. The future is bright and I wish for a prosperous future.”
Stephen Owen, 27, said: “This is a great opportunity to be something. It’s good for character building and I am getting satisfaction from painting in the community.”
Helen Hawxwell, Parkway Green’s Employment Initiatives Coordinator, said: “We’re really happy with how this project is going and I would like to thank everyone who’s been involved with it.
“We have another PG Gateway project commencing in September which will provide young people with fencing experience and employability skills. We’ll continue to develop new initiatives to help our community.”
Michael Birkett, Chief Executive for Calico Homes, said: “We already provide similar services throughout East Lancashire and Preston, and we’re delighted to provide our assistance to help deliver the PG Gateway project throughout Wythenshawe.”
Calico Enterprise will be working with George Jones Painters and Decorators to deliver the PG Gateway project throughout Wythenshawe.
For more information about the team, please call Kay Watson, Calico Interiors Administrator, on 01282 686362.
