Inverness students pick paintbrush up for good cause to support Highland homeless charity
UHI Inverness students spent seven days working for free to redecorate a charity-owned home in Inverness that will house a new tenant with special care needs.
The NPA Painting and Decorating students and their lecturer Jordan Bryceland painted the interior of the two-bedroomed house owned by Gateway, the Highland Homeless Trust, meaning the house is now ready to be leased out to a future tenant with mental health issues for supported accommodation.
Lorraine Nesbitt, a former UHI Inverness student and business administrator at the charity, failed to hire professionals and contacted UHI Inverness to ask if a class would be prepared to paint the property as a work experience opportunity.
She said: “The students have done a fantastic job. The last tenant had been living in the property for a while and it really needed a good freshen-up. It’s now ready to allow someone to live independently in their community with assistance.”
The painting and decorating team at UHI Inverness agreed to take on the task and offered to do the work free of charge. They also arranged for Valspar Trade and Trade Point, Inverness to kindly sponsor all the materials.
The group of students relished the opportunity to work on a real-world project and filled the holes and painted all the walls, ceilings, doors and skirtings.
Mr Bryceland said it was the first time the class had been involved in a work project outside the campus and he was impressed with the students’ approach and enthusiasm.
Some second-year apprentices also helped with the work.
He added: “I have been very impressed with the way the students have applied and conducted themselves throughout this project and it was great to see them put what they have learned so far into practice. It has been a good experience and has definitely had a positive impact on the students.”
