Toyota apprentices’ project boosts city community hub

A team of apprentices from Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK has completed a project to enhance a community hub used by safeguarding charity Safe and Sound.

A team of 10 from the Burnaston car giant’s internal and external apprenticeship scheme spent months researching, planning, and executing a transformative project at the newly opened Osmaston Community Hub.

Their efforts, funded by the Toyota Manufacturing UK Charitable Trust, have enhanced the hub’s security, functionality and appeal for the young people it serves.

The Toyota apprentices took the time to understand Safe and Sound’s mission and the specific needs of the Osmaston Community Hub.

Their project has made the hub a safer and more inviting environment for children and young people.

As well as building a robust fence, the apprentices have turned a previously underutilised outside area into a vibrant and usable space, with picnic benches and flower beds.

Inside the hub, the team showcased their creativity and engineering skills by building a gaming chair from a repurposed car seat, complete with a steering wheel and pedals.

They also crafted a clock and a stylish table from repurposed alloy materials.

Tina Green, deputy chief executive of Safe and Sound, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the outstanding work carried out by the Toyota apprentices.

“They have gone above and beyond, not only making the Osmaston Community Hub more secure but also creating truly wonderful and inspiring spaces, both inside and out.

“Their commitment to understanding our requirements and delivering such high-quality, thoughtful solutions is genuinely inspiring.

“The young people at the centre already love what they’ve done, and we’ve even heard that one young person has been inspired to explore the apprenticeship scheme at Toyota – a fantastic testament to the apprentices’ positive influence!”

Richard Finchett, trustee for the charitable trust and deputy managing director at Toyota Manufacturing UK, said: “What a fantastic opportunity for our apprentices to put their skills to good use, while benefitting some amazing local organisations – a win-win all round.”