Bradford College

Good Samaritan Students

Painting and Decorating students at Bradford College recently took up the challenge of decorating the Samaritans charity shop in Shipley.

Working in their own time, the students who are all enrolled on the Level 1 Diploma in Painting and Decorating course volunteered to work on the project that was supported by local businesses. The project involved transforming the shops run-down cellar so that it could be used to store donations.

Tutor, Martin Airey was inspired by similar projects that he had led whilst working in Ontario, Canada. Martin said: “This experience has given the students a richer learning experience. In the workshops at College they learn skills, but working on site in a real working environment has given them a chance to work on a project from start to finish.”

The Samaritans paid the students’ bus fares and provided lunches, whilst Shipley paint firm Manor Coating Systems supplied the paint and M&B Trading in Baildon gave each student a dust mask, tape measure and steel ruler to start their tool boxes.

Commenting on the students work, Brian Moeller, Shop Manager said: “The work was completed to a very high standard and the students’ hard work has made a big difference to our volunteers.”

By way of thanks for all of their hard work, a presentation buffet was held at the Samaritans Bradford Office for students and their families.

During the celebrations, each of the students were thrilled to be presented with a certificate that acknowledge their hours of voluntary work.