Community / Young people building benches for Tall Ships visit
YOUNG folk involved with the local Bridges Project are busying themselves building 15 picnic benches and two giant deckchairs for use during this summer’s Tall Ships event in Lerwick.
The initiative, which is part of Shetland Islands Council’s youth and employability service, is designed to straddle the gap between education and employment for young people aged 14-19.
Eleven young people have been trying their hand with joinery skills in Bridges’ flexible working space on Commercial Road to make the picnic benches – five with backed seating and 10 without – along with the two deckchairs.
After the Tall Ships visit in July the furniture will be distributed to community projects around the islands.
Bridges support worker Ryan Jamieson, a qualified joiner, has been helping the young volunteers gain the necessary skills to make the benches.
He said it offered those taking part a “bit of routine and structure in their week” while learning and meeting new people – as well as being able to take a sense of pride in what they have created.
“We thought this would be a really good opportunity for the young people to take part in a practical, community-based project to learn new skills, try new things, and have the opportunity to work with some tools,” Jamieson said.
He and fellow support worker David Simpson left school at a young age without a clear idea of what they wanted to do with their lives: “We’re coming from that background so we have an idea of where they’re at, so we can support them having been through something similar ourselves when that supportive system wasn’t here.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
The Bridges team works with schools and other partners to provide a programme of varied, informal learning.
The aim, Jamieson explained, is to “support young folk towards positive destinations, whether that’s employment, college, further education or apprenticeships”.
One of the participants most heavily involved in the furniture-building initiative, mastering every element of making the picnic benches in the process, is teenager Masyn McKay.
“It’s been really good, insightful, lots of experience – more hands-on than you’d think,” he said.
“You get to speak to new people, and it is quite enjoyable getting better with the tools as you progress. I’m excited to use one of the benches when the Tall Ships comes around, to be able to sit on one with pride and say ‘I built this’.”
Shetland Tall Ships project manager Emma Miller said: “We knew we’d need extra seating for the events and activities taking place during the races, and it’s absolutely brilliant to be able to team up with the fantastic Bridges project.
“The whole ethos of the event is about giving young people opportunities, and it’s super to see folk getting the chance to learn new skills while contributing to the wider community spirit that makes Tall Ships possible.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.