During the session, Wendy showed the children examples of building materials that are used on site. She also talked about the materials, which ranged from brick and wood to metal, explaining how these are used in a new build home.
The pupils then had a go at building towers, using foam bricks, trowels and fake cement made of flour, water and paint. The pupils worked together and more importantly everyone had the chance to have a go. Later in the session pupils tried on hi-vis vests and hard hats after their hands-on experience of house building!
Charlotte Cashmore, Teacher at Castleward Spencer Academy, said: “We really did appreciate Compendium Living coming and working with the children. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”
Beth Bundonis, regional managing director at Lovell Partnerships, said: “One of the things we enjoy about working on new homes throughout the region is the various ways in which we can get truly involved with local communities.
“The community around Castleward in Derby is no different, and Castleward Spencer Academy is a perfect example. Together with Compendium Living we have been able to give local children the opportunity to understand how new homes are built in a fun and hands-on way. Subsequently, we hope this inspires them to become the housebuilders of tomorrow!”
Wendy Lister said: “Many of the pupils at Castleward Spencer Academy actually live on our Castleward development. I really enjoyed taking the opportunity to be able to teach them something about how their homes were built. We hope the children thoroughly enjoyed becoming bricklayers for the day, as they all built brilliant towers.
At Compendium Living, we believe in supporting the communities that we operate in. We’re looking forward to continuing to support Castleward Spencer Academy and the wider Derby community as Castleward progresses.”
Located in Derby city centre between Derbion shopping centre and Derby Midland Station, Castleward is a £100 million regeneration scheme and one of the city’s largest housing projects. Being delivered in partnership with Compendium Living, 2023 saw the completion of phase 3, which comprised 82 properties and is now almost fully sold.
Planning is already approved, and land transfers have completed to kickstart phase 4 into 2024, with a further 112 homes to be created within the new community.
