Press Release

Council Leader Samples life as an Alabaré recycler

Salisbury District Council Leader Paul Sample JP has paid a visit to Alabaré’s recycling team.

He and Cllr James Robertson, Salisbury District Council’s Environment Portfolio Holder, met with two members of the SORTED! team at their workshop at Alabaré’s Barford Countryside Unit in Barford St Martin.

The recyclers gave them a tour of their workshop and introduced them to some of the equipment that they use to professionally sort and crush the foil and cans.  They also explained the whole process of what they do, from collecting the materials to producing the final briquettes and barrels.

SORTED! is a Supported Employment Project for people with learning disabilities.  Each week they pick up foil and cans from some 70 collection points around Wiltshire in their specially designed van, professionally crush it at their workshop and sell it on to Freeths in Swindon.  They also collect old ink cartridges and mobile phones from local businesses.

The aim of the project is to help team members build self-confidence and learn new skills and gain valuable experience that will help them into other employment or training opportunities.  The project is accredited by the National Proficiency Test Council as well, which means members can work towards recognised qualifications that could help them get other jobs.

Cllr Sample and Cllr Robertson were also given a brief tour of the rest of the Barford Countryside Unit, which also runs a horticulture project, woodwork sessions, pottery classes and arts and crafts workshops.  With such a focus in South Wiltshire on going green they were particularly interested in the large-scale composting scheme that the horticulture team has set up.

Cllr Sample said “The SORTED project is doing a very valuable job and is helping to increase the amount of waste going back into the manufacturing process through recycling. Not only that… it provides essential training and jobs for a lot of local people with learning disabilities. I am very impressed by the project and immensely proud of what is being achieved there. I will be asking if there are further ways in which this project can help the District Council with its waste recycling performance.”

-Ends-

For more information or to arrange an interview call Lara Higgins on 01722 344484

Alabaré Christian Care Centres is a regional charity, providing a range of services including supported housing, floating support services, drop-in centres, information, advice and training services and a registered care home.  The charity works with the homeless, ex-offenders, young people, individuals with a learning difficulty, vulnerable women and people with drug and alcohol problems, aiming to assist them with realising their potential and becoming valued members of society.  www.alabare.co.uk