Ten teenagers on construction courses run by the crime reduction charity Nacro, are heading to France today to help create an ‘Eco Chateau’.

The group will be spending two weeks on a project renovating an 18th century Chateau in Normandy. Once complete, it will become a carbon negative ‘Eco-Chateau’. This rural social enterprise will teach people from across Europe about sustainable living, while providing courses in areas such as catering and hospitality.

Six of the teenagers taking part are currently on a 22-week construction course run by Nacro in Brighton, aimed at young people who are not in education, training or employment.

Once they arrive, the learners will set up a mini-democracy, which involves daily group meetings where they will plan their own work schedule and discuss how they can overcome problems as they arise.

As well as developing construction skills, the group will experience French culture, learn to cook and take part in team building activities. Over the last few weeks, Nacro has been giving the group basic French lessons to help them settle in.

18 year old Jamie Fleet from Brighton is one of the young people taking part. He says: “I’ve never been abroad before, so I’m really excited. It’s not a holiday, it’s going to be hard work, but I know I’m going to learn a lot about construction and the French way of life. It’ll be a good chance to learn the kind of skills I’m going to need when I get a job.”

Ralf Hubbard is the teacher based at Nacro’s Brighton training centre responsible for organising the trip. He says: “This is a really innovative project and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the young people we support. Not only will it be a chance for them to develop the skills they’ve been learning with us, but they’ll also be taught how to pull together as a team to get a job done. Nacro took a group last year and the difference we saw in their confidence and skills was incredible”

-ENDS-

If you would like to arrange an interview with Jamie, please contact Rachel Whitehead, Nacro Media and Communications Officer on 0207 840 7218 or 07528970900 rachel.whitehead@nacro.org.uk