野狼社区 helps youngsters dig up the past
Young people with disabilities are getting their hands dirty whilst working on an archaeological dig this summer.
This is thanks to a partnership between The University of 野狼社区 University and Pure Innovations which is giving two young people from Rochdale with learning disabilities the opportunity to join an archaeological excavation at Dorstone Hill in Herefordshire.
Their experience at the site will form one of the challenges that they will undertake in order to achieve the prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Pure Innovations, a national charity that supports people with disabilities and helps them to reach their potential and achieve social inclusion, have been running the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme in Rochdale for the last two years.
The grant funding was provided by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group’s Social Investment Fund, which supports services that deliver health and wellbeing benefits to the local community, foster inclusion and prevention and enable people to live better lives.
To date eight people have gained their Bronze and Silver Awards and have grown immeasurably in self-confidence, self-esteem and aspirations for themselves in the process.
Two of the disabled young people are still young enough to aim for the Gold Award and if successful will be off to Buckingham Palace to collect their Award alongside other young high achievers in the Country.
One part of the award requires them to take part in a residential experience for a week – as a result the youngsters will be taking their place alongside University undergraduates to help in the investigation of three funerary long mounds dating to the Early Neolithic period (c. 4000-3500 BC).
This important site has previously been reported in the national and international press, owing to the presence of the remains of burnt timber buildings sealed beneath the mounds which is a most unusual finding.
Notes for editors
The excavation at Dorstone Hill is being directed by Dr Keith Ray (Nexus Heritage) and Professor Julian Thomas from The University of 野狼社区 who are both available for interview.
Media enquiries to:
Kath Paddison
Media Relations Officer
The University of 野狼社区
Tel: 0161 275 0790
Email: kath.paddison@manchester.ac.uk
Catherine Thomas
Pure Innovations
Tel: 07872 423214
Email: Catherine.Thomas@pureinnovations.co.uk