Young people give community hall a fresh new look

Stevie Yoxall. front, with fellow members of the Princes Trust scheme as they revamp the hall in Penshaw.

The 11-strong team working alongside The Prince’s Trust spent almost a week painting the hall at Penshaw Community Centre.

The room was put forward for a spruce-up by Stevie Yoxall, 18, who used to walk from her home in Plains Farm to the village so she could take part in karate classes.

Alicia Mather was one of the young people who gave Penshaw Community Centre a fresh new look.

Now its dated lemon paintwork has been replaced by a fresh coat of magnolia, giving all those who use the venue a better place to visit.

The work was supported by Barclays, which donated £100 to cover the costs as the group of 18 to 23-year-olds carried out the graft.

Alan Darcy, a team leader for the Prince’s Trust, which is based with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service on Wearside, said: “This is the main room in the community centre and is used for a lot of different things.

“It was a rather unpleasant lemon colour and now it’s magnolia with a white trim.

Keith Parry puts his back into refreshing the paintwork at Penshaw Community Centre.

“They’ve all taken on different roles and taken responsibility for different areas and worked together really well.

“We hope the people who use the room will like the finished look.”

The Prince’s Trust’s scheme in Sunderland is open to 16 to 25-year-olds and runs from fire stations in Marley Park and Farringdon.

It can help people develop their confidence, motivation and leadership skills, give them the chance to take residential trips and fire safety sessions, work on community projects, write their CVs and improve their interview skills, take part in fun challenges and take work experience placements.