Heatwave

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As the record breaking temperatures hit over 30 degrees, the team continued their brilliant work outdoors demolishing outbuildings. 

 

Durham Skill Mill's 2nd Birthday Celebration

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The social impact which has been achieved during this time was celebrated by guests from organisations including Durham Police, Durham County Council, Great North Air Ambulance and young people together. 

 

Investing in Children Award 

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The Investing in Children Membership Award™ gives organisations national recognition for the good practice and active inclusion of children and young people in dialogue that results in change; celebrating examples of imaginative and inclusive practice. Durham Skill Mill have received the award, this is brilliant achievement and clearly demonstrates the positive impact that Skill Mill has upon the lives of young people with which we work. 

 

Peterlee Town Council 

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Our young people have been working alongside Peterlee Town Council on a local park management project. The team are contributing towards woodland and park improvements, which will be enjoyed by the wider community. 

 

Ferryhill Carrs 

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The Durham Woodland Revival project, which aims to improve the county’s woodlands, has teamed up with Durham Skill Mill. This partnership has been awarded funding from the TransPennine Express(TPE) Transform Community Grant scheme, which will enable them to improve and manage woodland in Ferryhill Carrs. 

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This is fantastic news for everyone at Durham Skill Mill!

 

Local Park Improvements 

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Despite the cold weather, Durham Skill Mill have been working in partnership with Peterlee Town Council to improve a local park. The team have done an excellent job and we look forward to seeing the park be enjoyed by residents. 

 

County Durham Allotments

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The team have been busy carrying out work at the allotments. 

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'I’m really happy with the works, from start to finish, the ease of meeting with you to discuss what I require and the swift response that the quotes are returned.  When I’ve met with the team, they have always been pleasant and enthusiastic about the works they are doing, the completed jobs are on par with the works previously completed by Contractors, who have 20+ years in the business, I would 100% recommend using Skill Mill for any future works'.

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Allotment Officer, Colette Davies. 

 

Maiden Castle Angling Trust Access Project

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The team have been busy building steps and pathways and improving safe access to the river - and receiving a big thank you and vote of confidence from the river keepers.

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'We just wanted to thank yourself and the team who worked very hard with us for the four days.  Once again they were a credit to Skill Mill.  The lads seemed to have enjoyed the project and gained satisfaction in doing what they have been given to do.  It really is very rewarding to see your teams confidence grow as the week went on .  The lads themselves were motivated, amiable and seemed to enjoy learning new skills.  They were sensible working around water and were really very good. We certainly enjoy having them about.'

 

With Genuine thanks

River keepers DCAC

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Chester-le-Street Girl Guide Association 

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'I wish to thank your Skill Mill staff, especially Peter Cook and his young people, for the work that they did at the above premises. Friendly and so hard working - these young people were excellent. 

They certainly put in some hard work getting rid of so many weeds and cutting down grass and trees, and then having to bag all the rubbish and dispose of it. 

I would have no hesitation in recommending these young people.'

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Elsie Forrester 

Chairman H.Q.Committee

 

Claypath Delicatessen

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'We hired The Skill Mill to do a basic garden tidy of our back garden, which was overgrown, if I’m putting it politely. We wanted it weeding and in a condition where we could get around it again with a view to planting fruit and vegetables.

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The Skill Mill, led by Peter Cook, took the job on and I am astounded by the end result, it way surpasses all expectations. They surveyed the site first, then gave me a start date and rough completion time. They turned up when they said they would and were punctual and professional. The garden was cleared totally and then they sorted and got rid of all the rubbish, recycling what they could along the way. A lot of the work they did was under their own initiative, which is fantastic, as I don’t have a great deal of time on my hands.

 

When the garden was cleared, they didn’t stop there, they then went on to build and install raised beds and lay weed suppressant so that the dreaded weeds would not return. The final job was laying bark clippings finishing the garden off nicely.

 

I would not hesitate to recommend The Skill Mill in-fact we are going to get them back for more work. A huge thank you to Peter and the gang.'

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Rory 

Claypath Delicatessen

 

DERIC - Youth Bus Project

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On behalf of myself the trustees and our young people who access the project we would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to The Skill Mill Team for all their hard work in bringing back our grounds to life.  Everywhere was overgrown which was very unappealing to the eye, but the transformation has been outstanding! 

 

Peter’s team worked in an extremely professional and courteous manner I would highly recommend them to any client.  Their standard of work has been fantastic, we would like to wish them every success in the future.

 

Yours sincerely

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Caroline Jackson

Business Development Officer