Surfing, staying out, cooking and an unmissable bouncy castle. It has been an activity-packed summer for members of Maufant Youth Project thanks to a contribution from local construction consultants HLG Associates.

The support came courtesy of HLG’s recent engagement with St Martin and its Constable, Karen Shenton-Stone.

After being appointed by the parish, the company led the award-winning redevelopment of former St Martin’s school into a thriving retail and community centre. Among the range of services HLG provided were strategic project direction, project management, quantity surveying and contract administration.

When the opportunity arose to support another cause close to the parish’s heart, HLG was ready to step up again.

‘We’ve maintained a close professional and personal relationship with St Martin and Constable Shenton-Stone since completing La Vieille Ecole project earlier this year,’ remarks HLG managing director Jerry Willis. ‘Which led us to becoming aware of some great community projects and activities that the parish is involved with.

‘Among these is the Maufant Youth Project. After learning how much difference some modest financial support could make for its young members, HLG was only too pleased to donate towards the cause.’  

The £1,000 provided allowed Project organisers to lay-on a range of additional activities over the summer.

These included taking members on a residential weekend at the Youth Service’s outdoor activity base at Crabbé, providing surfing lessons in St Ouen’s Bay, buying ingredients for cooking lessons and hiring a bouncy castle for use by the youngsters over the October half term holiday.

Expressing gratitude to HLG on behalf of the team running the Project, senior youth worker Jackie Almeida said, ‘Thank you ever so much for your support for the young people of the Project – I’m lucky enough to see the difference it makes with my own eyes and it’s magic.’

The Maufant Youth Project is one of several run throughout the Island by the Jersey Youth Service. It offers young people and young adults new and challenging experiences designed to stretch knowledge, skills and attitudes. Among benefits is enabling reflection upon themselves as individuals, ultimately allowing development towards fulfilling their potential to contribute as positive members of the community.

‘As a local company with strong parish connections, HLG is fully committed to supporting Island communities,’ concludes Mr Willis. ‘The Jersey Youth Service already offers fantastic engagement programmes for young islanders – we’re pleased our donation helped deliver some additional fun activities and learning experiences. And we really appreciated learning how much the youngsters at Maufant enjoyed themselves over the summer.’

HLG Associates is a leading provider of professional building, construction and sustainability services to private and public sector clients in Jersey, Guernsey and the UK. Further information on the former St Martin’s School project and others completed by the company can be found at www.hlgassociates.com or by contacting 01534 888135 or email solutionsfound@hlgassociates.com.