WM Action - Community Service Volunteers (CSV)

CSV 'Make a Difference Day' is the UK's biggest day of organised volunteering. Throughout the West Midlands, in October 2007, Community Service Volunteers are giving up their time to make a difference in their communities.

Creating the garden

When the BBC WM Action Desk heard that Shireland Collegiate Academy in Smethwick wanted to transform an area in their grounds, WM's Maggie Smith and Helen Clare organised some assistance for the school.

Their plan came together on October 24th, 2007.

Jane Evans is Associate Principle at Shireland Collegiate Academy. She said: 

"We were looking for ways to celebrate the fact that although we're a brand new organisation, there's been education on this site for one hundred years.

"Having somewhere for the children to enjoy some leisure time after they've worked really hard elsewhere on the campus seemed a really nice idea.

Anton, student volunteer

"We wanted to bring back the idea of connecting children with plants, soil and the outdoors, really."

On October 24th, students, teachers, Barclays volunteers, volunteers from Glendale Services and WM's Maggie and Helen, created eight vegetable beds and two herb beds plus a seating and garden area for the 6th formers. Local businesses and Sandwell Council supplied the materials.

"Most of the students arrived at 8.30am. I've been so amazed by the students - how hard they've worked - they've not stopped. At lunchtime they were the first to get back out here." said CSV's Helen Clare.

"To all come in on their day off during their Half Term holiday is incredible really. I'd like to come back to Shireland again - so many of the students are keen to continue volunteering."

Barclays volunteers

Anton, 16, gave up his free time to create the garden. He said: "Before it was just a big empty area - just all plain. But now it looks all nice - it's got mini areas and plants everywhere. It's all colourful."

Fellow student Shamima, 16, was also pleased with their day of hard work:

"It's a big transformation - we've taken it from grass to something amazing. We just never thought that this would have happened."

WM Action would especially like to thank Ray Holton and Geoff Willetts for their donations to the project.