Housebuilder donates £1000 to fund new programme for Pontefract pupils

Harron Homes Yorkshire has donated £1,000 to support St Giles Primary School to launch Talk Your Walk - a 12-week programme helping pupils at risk of anti-social behaviour learn to make good career and life decisions.

Alongside a £2,000 donation from housing developers Harworth Group, the money helped fund the programme for the local students.

Lucinda Dickens, sales and marketing director for Harron Homes Yorkshire, said, “We're proud to support the Talk Your Walk programme alongside Harworth Group.

"Initiatives like this make a real difference to young people, helping them build confidence, resilience and a stronger sense of who they are.”

Originally set-up by professional rugby league players Jesse Sene-Lefao, Quentin Laulu-Togagae and Suaia Matagi, it combines things like team-building activities and group discussions to build pupils' confidence while keeping them engaged.

The programme was first brought to St Giles by Jayne Tree, chair of the Lake View Residents' Community Group in Pontefract, who identified a gap in support for young people in the area and worked to secure the funding to make the initiative happen.

Beginning September 23, 30 pupils from the school worked on team building, leadership and cultural education twice a week.

It will conclude with a final celebration on November 13, when the children will showcase what they've achieved and learned to the school and their parents.

Chair of the Lake View Residents' Community Group, Jayne Tree, said: "This programme came from a real concern in our community about what happens to young people when there's little support available.

"I'm incredibly grateful to Harron for their support in helping us turn that concern into something positive, and to Talk Your Walk for the work they do.

“We hope this course will have a lasting impact on our pupils, and we can't wait for them to share what they've learned with their families in November."