As part of the Field Days this October, we sent a group of pupils to the Holt Youth Project to help with a number of jobs that needed to be done. Over two days, our pupils cleared out the upstairs, tidied the allotment, hung murals, checked and maintained bicycles, refreshed and cleaned the clothes shop, cleaned the kitchen, mowed the lawn and dismantled pallets. 

The pupils worked tirelessly for two days without a grumble and were a credit to themselves, and to Gresham’s. HYP staff complimented the pupils and were amazed at how they got on with the work so quickly and efficiently. 

Whilst they were there, Fleur B, Evie B and Kathryn D spent a small fortune on clothes from the HYP shop after cleaning and tidying it all morning – all the money goes towards the HYP, so thank you girls. Kit P, Joey H and Charlie R attached a huge mural to the wall. Beatrice C-L and Arthur L tried to attach a small board to the wall with less success. Belle W, Issy K, Inez C and Kevin Z worked incredibly hard with Father Jack to clear out the upstairs.

On the second day, the weather was much better, so the team tackled the outside area. Amelie C, Jikke D, Jamie S, Florence P, Annabelle L and Ella H did an amazing job clearing and tidying the allotment alongside Mrs Edwards. 

Mrs Nash, Izzy H, and Shreya Y did bike maintenance and, once they had figured out how to undo the ratchet straps, had fun blowing up tyres and ‘testing’ the bikes around the car park. Lucy B, Lottie B and Emily B made mincemeat of the pallets with a crowbar and hammer – it was quite scary to watch Lucy B demolish a pallet with a crowbar.

After a hard morning’s work and a much-needed break for lunch, the pupils built a fire in the firepit on the freshly mown lawn. Less was more here, as some of the girls thought it was bonfire night and wanted a huge fire. However, after halving the size of the fire, we made s’mores over the open flames. Some s’mores were slightly more cooked than others, but it was a lovely end to a very productive and happy two days helping at the Holt Youth Project. Thank you to all the pupils who participated, it was very much appreciated.