The rain and cold didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of ten Girl Guides from the 29th Ipswich (All Hallows) Guide unit, to our site at Ravenswood this morning, where we are constructing 96 homes of affordable and social rent for Handford Homes Ipswich, part of Ipswich Borough Council.
The Guides, led by leaders Mandy Grimwood and Sophie de Boos, were met by Peter Flatt, Lee Walsom, Dale Gregory and Leanda Hoyland-Linch MIAM and given an introduction and health & safety briefing before being issued with PPE, sponsored by Tiger Supplies.
They had a tour of the site and were shown everything from fire-stopping to lintels to sawtooth brickwork with Lee and Peter answering questions along the way.
The girls then got stuck into a practical construction activity – screeding and block paving before retreating back into the warm for a very informative talk on careers in construction by Allison Copeman from the CITB.
Three of our female employees, Xena Partridge, Emma Brine and Leanda Hoyland-Linch gave a short talk on their roles and experience of working in construction before the Guides were presented with certificates and goody bags. They were also awarded their ‘Breaking Barriers’ badges for successfully completing their task.
Despite the cold, wet weather, the Guides found the visit inspirational and have asked for a return visit when the site nears completion.
We answered an appeal to help them raise just over £8000 after some of their members were given the opportunity to take part in a trip to Paris. We have made a financial contribution towards the fundraising, but very much hope that today’s visit has given them some experience of a career in construction and the confidence to break down any barriers in the future
