TRAINEE painters and decorators have brushed up on their skills helping to transform a disused house at Raby Castle in a matter of weeks during a project to provide practical experience.
Twelve level two learners from Bishop Auckland College and one Gaunless Gateway bursary student, working with Trades4Care, have cleared away cobwebs and peeling wallpaper. Four weeks into the six-week project at Raff Yard House has seen a dramatic transformation at the former estate manager’s house.
Charlie Wright, co-founder of Trades4Care, said: “We were keen to keep the students busy to give them some practical experience in the work place. With the Covid-19 that has been a real struggle.
“Duncan Peake and Philip Dent at Raby Estates were keen to help provide the students with practical experience and although we’re not finished yet, they have indicated they want to work closely in future.”
Trades4Care is a community interest company that provides young people with valuable work experience in the workplace with alongside trusted tradesmen and women. Mr Wright added: “They have all loved working at Raby and they were delighted when Lord and Lady Barnard popped in to see how the work was going.
“We are so grateful to the Gaunless Gateway which has provided a bursary to one of our former students, Connor Woodward, and hopefully this additional experience will go towards finding full time employment.”
The 13-strong team, alongside professional decorator Nigel Stevens, have stripped down, sanded, repaired and painted windows and doors to the front and side of the historic property.
Mr Wright said: “We have two or three students each day with us and it has been great for them to get practical experience in the workplace.”
The work by trainees and the Trades4Care team will mean the building, which has been empty since 2003, can be used as offices by staff at Raby Estates.
Mr Wright added: “We need about another five days to finish the windows at the back, but with the weather the way it is we have been concentrating on the inside.”
It is not the first-time trainees with Trades4Care have helped revive buildings in Teesdale.
Previous projects have
been carried at Stainton and Streatlam Village Hall and
the Scarth Hall, in Staindrop, as well as a number of care homes and the Butter-
wick Hospice, at Bishop Auckland.
