Partner Article

Guisborough church opens up the work experience door

Each year in July St Nicholas Church in Guisborough opens its doors to the parish’s local schoolchildren for a week of learning. The aim of the project is to offer every year five child in the town the opportunity to spend an enjoyable day at the church where they can learn about its history, purpose and practice some of the skills used in its construction and use such as bell ringing, calligraphy and flower arranging.

Margaret Armstrong, who helps run the Open Door project at St Nicholas Church, said, “Many children will have had minimal contact with the church, perhaps only for the usual family occasions. Open Door delivers an opportunity to meet up with the people of the church in a fun and relaxed way.”

During this year’s Open Door project several students from neighbouring Prior Pursglove College completed work experience placements at the church.

17 year old Prior Pursglove College student Lucy Dunn (ex Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough) is looking at a career in primary teaching. After helping out with the school children she said, “I was introduced to the idea of the open door project at St Nicholas by the College’s Work Experience Co-ordinator and attended a meeting at the church where I decided it was for me.

“I enjoyed helping out and feel I benefited from taking part. It will definitely help me when applying to university and when looking into a teaching career.

“The Open Door activity I enjoyed most was helping out with the art activities. I’m glad I was able to give something back to the community.”

Abbie Smith (ex Sacred Heart RC School, Redcar), 18, helped run the bell ringing session and led a performance of novice bell ringers and 16 year old Karena Coxon (ex Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough) assisted with stained glass window design. Their fellow Prior Pursglove College student Chloe Sturman (ex Ormesby School, Middlesbrough), 17, aided youngsters with calligraphy.

Sue Copeland, Work Experience and Volunteering Co-ordinator at Prior Pursglove College, said, “Universities and employers are increasingly looking out for candidates that have relevant experience, especially when demand for places is high. The Open Door project at St Nicholas Church is a great way for our students looking at careers involving working with children to gain vital experience as well as assisting a great cause within the local community.”

“Having additional help from work experience students helps us to provide almost one to one support at each of the activities, so the children are assured of plenty of attention and someone to talk to and help with any problems,” continued Margaret, “It is always good to have a mixture of age groups from 10 all the way up to 90. We are very grateful to all our helpers, young and not so young.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Prior Pursglove College .