YOUNG people in Kinver are bridging the generation gap to help elderly residents get the most from their gardens.

Volunteers from Kinver Community Partnership have been working on a variety of projects including renovation work and installation of three new benches in the garden at the Kinver Senior Citizens Club.

Around 48 young people have been working on the projects under the supervision of community partnership members including village copper, Pc Chris Baker.

Pc Baker said: "The volunteer project is an intergenerational project which aims to bridge the gap between the young and elderly and is a great way for young people to get involved with, and to help others in the community.”

The partnership is a collaboration between Staffordshire Police, Kinver Action Group, Neighbourhood Watch and South Staffordshire Housing Association (SSHA).

Cash from SSHA is funding an electric van, which is being used by Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s), who normally travel by bike, to go out to Bobbington and Enville.

Rachel Chudley, head of housing services at SSHA, said: "The Kinver Community Partnership is committed to ensuring the village is a safe place where people are proud to live.”

Pc Baker added: “It’s great the funding has helped us bring the electric van back into use. It is making a real difference to the lives of people in Kinver and we will soon be rolling out the same scheme to the villages of Enville and Bobbington.

“Myself and the PCSO’s would normally walk or travel by bike so it is making it easier for us to get out to surrounding villages on a more regular basis."

Pc Baker says any young people who live in Kinver, Enville or Bobbington, along with adults to share their skills to help youngsters complete projects, are welcome to join the partnership.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Pc Baker on 0300 123 2345 extension 03602 or for SSHA tenants call Helen Wallett on 0800 096 8690.