A GROUP of unemployed young people have been rolling up their sleeves to help revamp an unused school building in Catterick.

The volunteers, who are taking part in The Prince’s Trust Team programme, could now see their efforts help bring alternate opportunities to youngsters in the region who may have fallen out of mainstream education.

They have now transformed the former caretaker’s house at Risedale Sports and Community College, repainting it from top to bottom.

Team leader Chris Barnes said: “This was a massive challenge for our team of young people but one that they have really risen to.

“The group has basically been painting for two weeks solid but they have done it all with a smile on their face and lots of pride.”

The Prince’s Trust Catterick Team programme is a 12-week personal development course delivered by Stockton Riverside College. It offers young people aged 16 to 25 the chance to develop new skills by taking part in a series of challenges.

The young people volunteered to refresh the house as part of their two-week community challenge. The team also redecorated the school’s drama room.

School principal Colin Scott wants to turn the building into a short-term facility for those who risk falling out of mainstream education.“The idea would be to put an extra layer in place for schools across the region to try and prevent permanent exclusion.”

He added: “Without the efforts of these young people we wouldn’t be at the stage that we are at.”

The building has been renamed Lawrence House after the school’s former caretaker. Local MP Rishi Sunak visited and said: “These young people have put a lot of effort into something that is going to benefit a lot of children.