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Bloom and Broom for Tuam
Presentation Secondary School, Tuam, Co. Galway
Making Our World Greener Challenge
2010
This project aimed to restore the town of Tuam by transforming one of the main streets and the town square. The students felt that, by undertaking such a project they could restore a sense of pride in the town adn inspire other residents to assist in improving the appearance of their locality. The team identified several problems that they wished to improve including the river bank, the appearance of some neglected buildings, the lack of colour and greenery in the town and the absence of a focal point. They then appointed a team to act on each of the problems identfied.
The group linked with and formed partnerships with many organisations including FAS, Tuam Town Council, Galway County Council, Tuam Chamber of Commerce, Tuam Tidy Towns as well as local businesses. They held meetings with the Mayor and local council and were granted permission to carry out all of their planned activities including paint delapitdated buildings, planting flowers and shrubs, installing a focal point on the square etc.
They hired a local artist to teach them how to improve the facade of buildings by painting mock shop fronts and commissioned a piece of sculpture in the form of a donkey for the town’s focal point. They involved the whole community in the project and garnered huge media support not least through their weekly TY column in the Tuam Herald.
YSI Den Summary
What the team pitched for:
The team requested funding towards the improvment works to Bishop Street.
YSI Den Grant
The team were granted €1,500 euro in the YSI Den towards the revamp of Bishop Street.
YSI Award Winner
Young Social Innovators of the Year Title Holders