Apprentices at the Southwark Construction Skills Centre have been supporting Surrey Docks Farm to develop a shelter for its animals.

The Skills Centre, which has trained more than 10,000 local residents and helped create more than 3,000 jobs in the construction sector, has previously worked with Surrey Docks Farm to improve disabled access and was keen to support the charity further, as well as build a commitment to social responsibility among its apprentices.

With the support of construction specialists, Keltbray, who provided a range of building materials, five apprentices from Southwark Construction Skills Centre built a shelter base for Surrey Docks Farm’s donkeys. Donkeys do not have a natural build-up of grease to make their coat waterproof and need somewhere to shelter from the British weather.

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Manager at Surrey Docks Farm Gemma Hooper said: "We would like to give a huge thank you to the Southwark Construction Skills Centre for their continued support of the Farm. We're delighted to get the donkey's hard standing area completed so quickly and look forward to further projects with the apprentices."

John White, Director of the Skills Centre added: "The apprentices worked extremely hard, and I am delighted that we were able to support such a great cause. We know apprenticeships work and it was great to see both them and the farm benefiting from their efforts. Our apprentices not only gained skills valuable on large construction sites, but they also saw how they can use their skills to enrich their local communities."