Case studies

NDS theme:Communities
Organisation/Region:Turning Point, Yorks & Humber  
Who funds it? CAD funding, European Social Fund, SRB
Contact Name: Joanne Rowe
Tel/email:01924 239 339 turningpointaccord@hotmail.com

Background to the project
A unique project aimed at providing employment for ex-drug users and offenders in the Wakefield area. Managed by Turning Point, the project includes prevention work with excluded young people and schools work plus the Able employment and recycling scheme that turns cardboard into caviar!

The recycling plant is a partnership with the local Primary Care Trust and the Green Business Network. It offers 5 jobs to ex-drug users for up to a year. Clients are referred from treatment services within Wakefield, where the common drug issues are alcohol and heroin. They work in a supported environment, with the help of an employment mentor, helping to turn waste cardboard from local businesses into animal bedding, and then into compost, which produces worms. The worms are fed to sturgeon on the site. The compost is sold as a by-product and the fish will soon be producing caviar for local hotels etc.

The long-term aim is to help ex-users back into full employment by providing experience, a reference and the support needed to avoid relapse. Where clients do relapse, they are allowed back to the scheme after re-entering appropriate treatment. The project, which has been fully operational for six months, recently saw its first trainee given full-time employment with a local company.
 
What makes it different
An innovative combination of rehabilitation, work experience and environmental awareness. The Able project allows those leaving treatment the chance to gain valuable skills and experience before attempting to enter full employment. They are paid an hourly wage for a 36-hour week to work in an environment where their recovery can be closely monitored and they can access help when necessary. 

Quotes 
-We are able to support ex-drugs users during the vital period following treatment, not just by trying to prevent relapse but by giving them the chance to gain a foothold in the job market. They often deal help with simple things like learning to deal with money, working nine to five and being accountable to an employer. They can learn these in the recycling plant, and leave with a reference and good work experience. They are also helping the environment and producing useful products to sell.-

Last Updated: 29/07/2003