All Aboard for Bluebell Wood

Rotherham College construction students have been busy working on an amazing build for a local charity.

Students from different disciplines of the construction department at Rotherham College have all come together to create a beautiful brightly coloured train-themed play area for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice based in Anston.

A number of local businesses have supported the project by kindly donating timber, shiplap panels, anti-slip decking and paint. Buildbase, Snows Timber, Wilmott Dixon and Johnsons Paint all contributed generously to the cause.

The idea was the brainchild of Rotherham College tutor Neil Jones, who runs Working Chance, a community project set up to boost the employability of young people in Rotherham through woodworking products.

Neil said: “This project has given our students the chance to put their skills to practical use and create something fun and useful for the children and families at Bluebell Wood. We were able to buy all the tools through lottery funding, so only had to source the materials, design the play area and build it. It’s the first time most of our students have taken on a project of this size and they’ve worked hard to create a fun experience for Bluebell Wood children and their families.

Anna Gott, Community Fundraiser in Rotherham, said: “Our children love interesting, creative and adventurous play, so we’re really grateful to the students for building this amazing play area. We know that they and their brothers and sisters will have many hours of fun on it, as it’s already proving very popular.

“We’re here to help families relax, have fun and spend precious time together and facilities like this help to make Bluebell Wood a place filled with love, fun and laughter.”

For more information about construction courses at Rotherham College please click here