THIRTEEN unemployed, young people in Bury have been presented a royal award for their work in the community.

The Bury Team won the North West Community Impact award at The Prince’s Trust Awards yesterday, presented by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards recognise the achievements of disadvantaged young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life, and had a positive impact on their local community, as well as those who have played a part in supporting the work of the trust.

The group of 18 to 23-year-olds got together to create a community garden, complete with sensory areas that their entire community could use.

Together, they raised £700 to buy equipment, soil and seeds for the project and with support by Incredible Edible and B&Q, worked through all weathers to clear, prep and plant the garden.

They met through Team, a programme from The Prince’s Trust that builds the skills and confidence of unemployed young people, so they are better able to find work.

Speaking at the awards, team member Aaron Moss said: “Being here tonight is just fantastic and we’re so pleased with our Community Impact award. The Prince’s Trust Team programme has helped us to show what we can achieve by working together and we hope that spurs others on to do similar projects.”

Geoff Harris, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “What the team have collectively achieved is truly inspiring and this North West Community Impact award is thoroughly deserved. They wanted to create something to benefit the whole community and they’ve done it – amazing effort!”

The garden has become a hive of activity – not only for the bees but for local residents who can sit and enjoy the sounds, smells and colours of the new space and pick their own fresh herbs and vegetables.

It is also used by the NHS to help patients they work with, by local schools and community groups, Bury Fire Station, and for rehabilitation and mindfulness sessions for the elderly.

Charlie Royle, one of the Team members, said: “We wanted to do something for everyone so drew up a list of local community groups and schools that would benefit from us rejuvenating the community garden at Bury Community Fire Station.

“It was easy to see how much potential it had, so we asked Incredible Edible – an organisation that helps people grow their own fruit and veg – to help us.

“It took us two weeks to overhaul the garden, and when we’d finished, we held an opening ceremony which was attended by the mayor and some press.”

“Doing this garden was a good thing – not just for us in learning how to work as a team, but for everyone in our community. You can’t beat that kind of feeling.”

Most members of the team are now in education, training, volunteer posts or employment.