YOUNG people who want to turn their back on offending will be given the right environment to pick up new skills– whilst working on a nature reserve.

The Durham Woodland Revival project, which improves County Durham’s woodlands, has teamed up with The Skill Mill, a social enterprise project that gives young people who have offended a second chance with on-the-job training in environmental countryside management.

The partnership will get £4,000 from the TransPennine Express Transform Community Grant scheme, following a public vote.

The funds will enable them to improve and manage woodland in Ferryhill Carrs– a mix of fen, open water, ancient semi-natural woodland, grassland and scrub wildlife habitats– near Ferryhill.

At the same time, young people who have offended will gain valuable work experience, environmental skills and qualifications.

Councillor Olwyn Gunn, Cabinet member for children and young people's services said: “Programmes like this one offer a fantastic social and learning environment for young people. Our participants will receive valuable work experience whilst also gaining independence and developing essential life skills such as team work and communication skills.”

This year TPE received 114 applications from projects around the country, requesting in excess of £450,000 to support work to improve the environment, promote social inclusion and tackle youth unemployment.

The Ferryhill Carrs scheme was shortlisted, with 23 other projects from across the country and competed against five other schemes from the North East, North and West Yorkshire region to win the cash.

Keith Appleton, the council’s Skill Mill manager, said: “The Ferryhill Carrs Improvement Scheme is a new innovative partnership between Durham Woodland Revival and Skill Mill aimed at improving the environment, promoting social inclusion and tackling unemployment amongst some of the county’s most disadvantaged young people. When completed, this project will leave a lasting legacy not only for those directly involved, but the wider community.”

Ken Bradshaw, Durham County Council’s Durham Woodland Revival development manager, said: “We’re delighted that our project has been awarded this funding. TransPennine Express staff and customers voted for the schemes that they felt were most deserving and we’re very proud that they chose our project.

“As well as helping local young people to get back on track and managing some beautiful landscapes, the TPE funding is also likely to attract further funding, which is very exciting and would allow us to support even more young people and make further environmental improvements.”