Pictured above: Stephen Weller (PPDG Telford Centre Manager) pushes the barrow out for Stephanie Brett of Wyldwoods whilst staff and customers of PPDG look on

A local charity was on hand to receive a donation to celebrate the first anniversary of help for job seekers in Telford.

Since the arrival of Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) in Central Park, 338 local residents are now back in employment with something great to celebrate themselves.

Staff at the centre decided a worthy way to celebrate their "barrow full of jobs" was to make a donation to the Broseley charity Wyldwoods who were initially supported when the centre opened.

Wyldwoods is an organisation that meets the needs of disadvantaged individuals through meaningful, practical and rural experiences. Stephanie Brett, an experienced special needs teacher and founder of the charity, was full of praise for the relationship that has been built with the PPDG staff.

"It was 12 months ago when the company first supported us by purchasing saplings, and supplying a number of volunteers to help with the planting. As an organisation that provides training experiences for people with moderate learning difficulties or mental health issues, there's always something we need" said Stephanie.

"This donation is a fantastic gesture which has enabled us to purchase five new badly needed wheelbarrows, it's been brilliant to help them celebrate."

Telford Centre Manager Stephen Weller was delighted to announce just how successful the programme has been. 

"Getting local people back to work is clearly beneficial for the local economy," he said enthusiastically. "But it's been achieved through a partnership between ourselves, local employers and the job seekers. 

"We are convinced that we're having a great impact in the local community and the decision by our staff to donate to a worthy local charity helped make it a day to remember."

Regional operations director for Shropshire Jolie Williams added, "The company has always been keen to support local charities through our payroll giving scheme. What better way to celebrate our first year than by showing our support for Wyldwoods."

Wyldwoods provide experience in rural arts, crafts including greenwood working, ceramics, recycled glass work in addition to all the traditional arts and woodworking.

PPDG deliver a range of Government Welfare to Work initiatives helping disadvantaged job seekers access the workplace or self-employment. Their payroll giving scheme has contributed over £100,000 and supported almost 300 different causes since its inception five years ago.