Bloomin’ wonderful!

A DOCUMENTARY charting the creation of a sensory garden at Llanelli’s Tir Einon Respite Centre can now be watched online.

Produced by ex-Coleg Sir Gâr student Louise Thomas, of Ammanford, the film shows clips and interviews with young people who built the garden as part of the Next Steps project.

Despite competing against eachother to win a construction apprenticeship with Llanelli and Gwendraeth-based Lloyd & Gravell Ltd, the boys worked as a team to complete the project, giving up their entire summer to work for free.

Their hard graft paid off, with service users and staff at the Carmarthenshire County Council-run facility thrilled with the stimulating bright colours, shapes and textures, relaxation and games areas they created.

Janice Whitfield, manager at Tir Einon, said: “It’s something that we talked about at our parents and representatives meeting at the end of June – we never dreamed that in three months it would all be done!

I’d like to thank Paul Lloyd and Kevin Gravell for their input, for the money they’ve put in to it for us, and their know-how and skills.

“Also the four apprentices for their hard work – the fact that they gave up their summer holidays for us is very much appreciated.”

Several local companies supported the sensory garden project, including supply firms LBS, Travis Perkins and TJ Electrics; Pontarddulais and Swiss Valley Garden Centres; Gwendraeth Valley Tarmacadem; Keith Evans, painter and decorator; Llanelli Forge; IWEC Electrical Engineering; C&H Fabricators and Welders; Qualitek Engineering; Strasdin Joinery; Leekes and Cuprinol.

Parc Y Scarlets and Pembrey Riding Centre provided reward and forfeit experiences for the boys.

Next Steps is an annual competition run by the Constructing Carmarthenshire Together partnership (Carmarthenshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gâr, and Carmarthenshire Construction and Training Association Ltd).

The 2013 competition was won by Llanelli 16-year-old Keelan McNicholl-Edwards, who is now months in to his carpentry apprenticeship with Lloyd & Gravell Ltd.

The three runners-up, Jac Tucker from Carmarthen, Osian Williams from Tumble, and Edward Warden from Ammanford, are each studying Pathways to Apprenticeship courses at Coleg Sir Gâr Ammanford.

Now in its fourth year, the Next Steps project has provided more than 30 people with employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

The only condition on entry in to the competition is that candidates must live in Carmarthenshire.

Candidates are shortlisted on their merits, no matter their age, previous experience or social background.

Phil Lumley, Head of Property Services for Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “We are very proud of all we have achieved through the Next Steps project, not only in terms of the opportunities it has presented to so many local people, but also the fact that we are able to leave a lasting legacy in our communities.

“On behalf of the Constructing Carmarthenshire Together partnership, I’d like to thank all the companies who generously supported this year’s community benefit project.”

To watch the film, visit www.nextstepscarmarthenshire.co.uk