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June 2008
> Building blocks for the future in Middlewich
Pupils from Middlewich Primary School have been given the chance to learn about life in the construction industry thanks to workers at GB Building Solutions and Avantage. More than 150 pupils from the school, on Park Road, visited the site of the new Willowmere Extra Care apartments on East Road.
Years three, four and six all toured the development in hard hats and high visibility vests to learn about life on a building site. The children learned about health and safety, and the dangers of playing on a construction site. An engineer showed the children the different machines used on site, and they were invited to ask questions and even try their hands at working some of the equipment.
Sandie La Porta, head teacher at Middlewich Primary School, said: “The children are currently learning about structures and levers in class, and the tour of the site has really helped them to see how buildings are actually constructed, and how levers can help to operate machinery such as the crane. It was a real eye opener for some of them; it’s important for them to understand why they are learning subjects such as maths, science and IT, and that they understand how these apply in real life situations.”
The pupils were shown around by site manager Frank Newby and project manager Keith Huntington from GB Building Solutions, which is working for Avantage. Cheshire County Council selected Avantage to build new apartments for people over 60 across the county. When the Willowmere development is finished there will be over 70 apartments and the facilities on site, such as the gym, library and village hall, will be available for use by the wider community.
Martin Smout, chairman and chief executive of GB Building Solutions adds: “It’s very important for us to be involved in the local community and contribute where we can. This visit to Willowmere has been a great opportunity for the children to understand more about the construction industry and about a building project which is on their doorstep.
“I hope that what they have learned from the visits will discourage them from using building sites as a playground. In years to come I also hope they will remember the visit and, we may even have encouraged some budding young construction managers in the school.”
Willowmere is an Extra Care housing development built by Avantage for people over the age of 60. The apartments, facilities and care services on site will allow residents to stay active, make new friends and remain in their own home for as long as possible. Residents can choose to buy, part-buy or rent the apartments.
For further information regarding Extra Care apartments, please call 0845 618 5008 or e-mail mychoice@avantage.co.uk.