Events at one of the British army’s most revered regiments, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, came second to the needs of a group of young homeless people from Centrepoint, as soldiers took time out of their demanding schedules to teach the youngsters a thing or two about team building.

The six young people, who are studying for gardening qualifications, received team building training to help them work together effectively.    In addition they were treated to a tour of the Blues and Royals Squadron, in which soldiers revealed the importance of working efficiently as a unit to achieve goals.

On arrival at the Cavalry barracks in Knightsbridge, Cornet Barney Campbell said: “There is no I in TEAM!” which set the tone for the eye-opening visit in which a day-in-the-life of the Household Cavalry became startlingly apparent. Top-ranked soldiers in the Blues and Royals termed ‘The body guards of the Queen’ are certainly no strangers to assiduousness and strong team work, preparing for ceremonial duties meticulously, standing new recruits in excellent stead before being stationed to front line military combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is this strong work ethic that the young people were inspired by.

Through Centrepoint’s partnership with Capel Manor College, young people are given the opportunity to gain Level 1 City and Guilds horticulture skills accreditation as they pass through a ten-week course. The course not only helps give them gain employment skills but also helps improve their confidence.

Seeing the regiment working as a team in full flow; arranging uniforms meticulously; expertly changing horse shoes and grooming horses; and seeing the mounted guards preparing for ceremonial duties, was an inspiration to all. Perhaps the most eye opening for the six, however, was listening to presentations from men who have pushed team bonding to the ultimate limits, working together on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. To end the day and put what the young people had seen into practice, the group mucked out the horses stables, proving a smelly but bonding experience for all!

Duane, 21 and homeless, has been receiving support from Centrepoint for two years. Duane became homeless as a result of a difficult upbringing and family disputes. Having never met his father and because his mother grappled with drug addiction, Duane lived with his grandmother. Spending increasing amounts of time at home with his grandmother resulted in arguments and tension and eventually Duane was asked to leave. With no one else to turn to, Duane was forced onto the streets and spent the next six months sleeping rough, scared to stay in one place for any amount of time.

The horticulture course with Capel Manor has given Duane a new lease of life and he has channelled all of his energy positively into the work. He now hopes to pass the course to gain an accredited qualification and to become a tree surgeon in the future. The Household Cavalry team building exercise has shown him how essential team work is.

Duane said:

“I’m really enjoying the course. I love it when we mow the lawns and we’re building a new path through the college. None of these things could be done by one person so it’s been really helpful to spend the day seeing how important team work is for these soldiers and realising how important it is in horticulture too. It’s good to grasp the skills now and be able to use them later when I have a job and move on from Centrepoint.”

Cornet Barney Campbell said:

“The team building day gives the young people the chance to see first hand how an efficient, well organised and structured team works together to achieve its targets. The Blues and Royals couldn’t function without the willingness of everyone to work as part of a team. I think we have shown these young people that team work and taking pride in your work leads to fantastic job and life satisfaction and I hope they can take forward what they’ve learnt and make the most of their course”.