Member Article

Owen Pugh’s in driving seat with Patchwork Project

A North East construction firm is helping young people in Newcastle to drive themselves to a brighter future after funding driving lessons for the Patchwork Project’s driving group.

Owen Pugh, which provides a full range of civil engineering services from five regional sites including its head office in Dudley, North Tyneside, has contributed £1,500 towards the project through the Owen Pugh Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. The project has supported 19 young people to date and has been extended due to its popularity with young people.

Michael Bell, project manager at the Patchwork Project, a Benwell based charity which provides services and support to young people via detached youth work, programmes of learning, group work and Duke of Edinburgh, said: “The donation from Owen Pugh has made a big difference to the project’s driving group. The lessons are a skill for life which as we have seen many times opens up more opportunities for employment. It’s been a successful year for the driving group at Patchwork thanks to the Owen Pugh Fund.”

Nineteen year-old Dale Wood who is currently employed by Patchwork Project on a short term contract as a gardener has recently started taking lessons with support from the Fund. Dale hopes that getting his driving license will increase his future job prospects, he commented: “I’m currently looking for a full-time role and being able to drive will help me get to and from work more easily and to be able to look for jobs further afield.”

And 20 year-old Chelsea Dixon who is close to taking her driving test is also looking forward to the benefits that securing her licence will bring. She said: “I’m currently working between two jobs, one at Patchwork itself and another in events. Travelling to and from work and between jobs will be a lot easier when I can drive myself and not rely on lifts and public transport. I’m looking forward to the independence being able to drive will bring.”

Owen Pugh has pledged a total of £25,000 between April 2014 and March 2015 through the Community Foundation to support a wide range of organisations and charities geared towards improving opportunities for young people in the region. It has contributed well over £100k to the fund since first getting involved with the Foundation in 2007.

Commenting on the impact of the donation to the Patchwork Project’s driving group, Jan Elliott from the Owen Pugh Group, said: “We’re delighted to see the positive impact that learning to drive is having on the lives of young people engaging with the Patchwork Project, helping them lead more independent lives and increasing job prospects.

“Here at Owen Pugh we recognise the value in making positive contributions to the communities in which we live and work, in particular helping young people to realise their ambitions, whatever their circumstances. The Community Foundation has been fantastic in helping us identify projects and organisations which best meet our CSR objectives.”

Lisa Cappleman, Head of Philanthropy Development at the Community Foundation, said: “The Community Foundation provides companies like Owen Pugh with effective mechanisms for giving back to the area by helping local people and groups. The commitment from Owen Pugh in helping organisations like the Patchwork Project has been fantastic and we are immensely proud of their relationship with the Community Foundation”

The Owen Pugh Group comprises five trading companies operating in the civil engineering industry, undertaking earthmoving and demolition, drainage and groundworks, plant-hire and haulage, quarrying, inert waste and drain cleaning, and CCTV surveys. The group is headquartered in Dudley near Cramlington, with other bases in Blaydon, Sunderland and Stockton-on-Tees, as well as Marsden Quarry. The Owen Pugh Group employs 370 people.

To find out more about the Owen Pugh Group visit www.owenpugh.com.

For advice on corporate giving or funding opportunities contact the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland on 0191 222 0945.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Owen Pugh Group .