A Hertfordshire policewoman returned to St Nicholas' JMI school in Borehamwood this week to inspect the improvements made by her team of Prince's Trust volunteers.

Over a period of three months, PC Donna Norris, who is stationed at St Albans, worked alongside six teenage volunteers. Together they transformed a stack of unwanted pallets into a Wendy house and the school's disused bike shed into an area for nursery education.

"It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Initially I had to get over the barrier that I was a police officer but once the group started thinking of me as Donna, things got easier," said Donna, who became a team leader for the group in August last year.

All the volunteers involved in the challenge were unemployed school leavers or claming benefits -- some of whom had learning difficulties or psychological problems.

"They all put a lot of hard work into the programme and the change in their morale just a few weeks into the project was really noticeable. From sitting around doing nothing, I think they all felt that they had some purpose and they were excited about what was coming next", she said.

In order to find materials and funding for their projects, the team of volunteers approached a number of local companies including Do It All, Iceland and Barratts for help.

"The whole programme was thoroughly worthwhile. You do get attached to the volunteers and you want them to do well, because being successful on this programme might mean the difference between them getting a job or not," she added.

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