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Gentoo Group - Pupils lay the bricks for Riverside Housing

North Shields school children recently helped kick-start work on one of two new housing sites for Riverside Housing last week as the first bricks were laid down, along with principal contractor Gentoo.

Five year 8 pupils from Norham High School were shown the tricks of the bricklaying trade and given a tutorial before having a go and setting down the first bricks on site.

Representatives from Riverside and Gentoo Construction, part of Gentoo Group, spoke to the students about the construction industry, the career opportunities available and the importance of health and safety on site.

Riverside Housing, Development Manager, Andrew Williamson, said: “We are really pleased to be providing much needed new homes for the area. Both projects give us the opportunity to engage with our new neighbours and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with local schools to promote the employment and training opportunities within the construction industry”

The two sites at Amble Close in North Shields and Berkley Close in Wallsend will be completed by the end of the year. Both had received Homes and Community Agency (HCA) funding and all units will be affordable rent properties.

Gentoo Construction, Managing Director, Allan Thompson, said: “We are delighted to be working with Riverside to build these fantastic developments for the local area. We’re not only working in partnership to create new homes but also working collaboratively on community engagement projects such as this, is vital to support our Art of Living agenda.”

Amble Close will consist of 12 two bedroom bungalows, all for affordable rent. This brownfield site was acquired from North Tyneside Council where houses were previously demolished. The Berkley Close site was also acquired from the Council. Garages previously occupied the site but were mostly unused. This development will have eight two-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom bungalows for affordable rent.

Gentoo Group’s whole ethos is about believing nothing is impossible and finding new ways to challenge conventions, Gentoo aims to make society a better place to live and to make a real difference to the way people live their life. To find out more about Gentoo, visit gentoogroup.com for more information or follow @gentoogroup on Twitter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Laura Facey .