MEMBERS of The Ditch youth project have been out and about making a difference to the community.

The project was launched in 2007 by PC Richard Waterhouse along with volunteers from the community following concern that there were little or no youth facilities across Redditch’s south west districts.

The project is now going from strength to strength providing a safe place for young people aged 12-16 to meet up with friends and take part in activities they may not otherwise have the opportunity to do. It meets at Oakenshaw Community Centre every Wednesday between 7-9pm.

All staff are volunteers and give their time freely and it is free to acess for all members so nobody is excluded because of cost. The Ditch relies totally on grants from various sources including Redditch Council, Worcestershire County Council, West Mercia Police and other sources.

On Saturday, September 24 a team of Ditch volunteers carried out some landscape work around elderley residents bungalows in Mickleton Close, Oakenshaw, assisted by Chris Franklin, Redditch Council’s landscape manager.

Volunteers spent the morning removing weeds from surrounding footpaths, gardening works for residents and cutting back overgrown grass from footpaths, making them wider and tidier for residents.

PC Waterhouse said: “Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was nice for the young people to speak to the elderly residents who were all delighted by their efforts and supplied everyone with tea.”

Ditch volunteers from the Ditch will be carrying out similar events in the future.

For further information, see theditchyouthproject.co.uk, call PC Waterhouse on 0300 33 3000 ext 3859 or email richard.waterhouse@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.