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Five of our Favourite Things

For our August issue we’re celebrating some of the best things that have been happening through our waste wood collection service:

1. Ryan’s CSCS card

Congratulations to Ryan! Ryan is the first person on Leeds Wood Recycling’s work experience project funded by Leeds City Council to complete their CSCS qualification.

A CSCS card is the first step in a career in construction, opening the door to work and training opportunities. Just as importantly, the training that goes with it is key to health and safety on a construction site, one of the most potentially hazardous working environments.

Leeds Wood Recycling Manager Charlie Stanley said:

“Ryan completely deserves this. He has worked so hard on building his skills, knowledge and above all his confidence. We are so proud!”

2. Inspiring the next generation

We believe that giving everyone the confidence to use tools safely and work with reclaimed wood has fantastic benefits. Being able to create something from beautiful, natural materials is inspiring and can have great benefits for mental health. Knowing how to use tools is an important step in building a society where mending rather than throwing away broken things is the norm.

There’s nowhere better to start this than with the next generation. Here are some great examples of recent children’s courses at our projects in Wolverhampton and South London.

3. The power of volunteering

Sometimes, when life has become very tough, the thought of joining a formal scheme to get back into work can feel overwhelming. There will be good days and bad days, and committing to regular attendance can seem too much. For people facing these challenges, informal volunteering with the Community Wood Recycling network can be a lifeline, and a stepping stone to getting support from other services.

Volunteer Eamon, who has faced alcoholism, serious mental health issues and long-term unemployment, tells us:

“Volunteering with the Community Wood Recycling network has given me purpose, and a reason to get out of the house. They have supported me to access local services such as AA and money advice, and now I am sober and looking forward to the future. When I joined my local wood recyclers I was in a terrible place and now I feel my life has got back on track.

“The team help me so much. I am loving every moment that I have here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

4. The joy of making things

Newport in South Wales is home to Reseiclo Training. In partnership with Reseiclo Community Wood Recycling, this organisation empowers people with learning disabilities to build wooden products for their local community. Trainees take well-deserved pride in developing their skills and handing over something that will be valued for years to come, like this shed for a local family.

5. Fully stocked shelves

Our wood stores are an amazing resource of affordable materials for local people. There’s nothing better than seeing timber that was destined for the skip cleaned up and ready to be reused.

Network Spotlight: Move On Wood Recycling

Building Brighter Futures

Move On wood recycling was established in Edinburgh in December 2018 as a charity and a social enterprise. Their mission is to make a positive social and environmental impact by saving resources from landfill and providing sustainable jobs. This allows individuals who have struggled to find employment an opportunity to give back to a positive environmental and social cause, while simultaneously gaining new skills and experiences. 100% of the timber collected is reused or recycled, ensuring nothing ends up in landfill contributing to carbon emissions. In the last year, Move On’s collections have saved 252 tonnes of waste wood from landfill, which equates to a saving of 125 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

As well as reselling or recycling waste wood, Move On also upcycle wood into bespoke furniture and made to order products. Recently, a local primary school enlisted Move On to design and create a buddy bench, which aims to combat loneliness and bullying. As well as this, they provide a vast number of outdoor and indoor products including dining tables, planters and even charcuterie boards.

Move On Wood Recycling is dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people and those affected by homelessness to take control of their lives and achieve their aspirations and goals. Its Building Brighter Futures programme is an eight-week employability training programme for 16-21 year olds. Participants gain:

  • SQA Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
  • SQA Core Skills
  • SQA Employability Award
  • Practical work experience
  • Certified manual handling training
  • CSCS Green Labourer Card
  • CV and mock interview practice
  • Support to take next training or employment steps
  • Work placements with major construction employers
  • Mentoring and support

Move On Wood Recycling outcomes since 2018:

0 tonnes of wood saved
0 young people trained
0 tonnes CO2 saved

Frazer participated in the Building Brighter Futures programme and was successful in obtaining a number of SQA qualifications that are employment-oriented, along with practical work experience and his CSCS Green Labourer Card. He also had the advantage of multiple sessions with our team dedicated to CV enhancement.

The journey to secure a CSCS card can be intricate, and thus, Frazer appreciated the “helping each step of the way” from the Move On staff. He expressed,

“I wouldn’t even know where to start getting the other qualification [SQA Health and Safety in a Construction Environment] independently!”

Upon completion of the Building Brighter Futures course, Frazer has been able to secure a full-time role as a joiner. He acknowledged,

“Building Brighter Futures was the course that got me into work – suddenly I had something that could actually get me a job.”

Another participant, Kai, was able to attain qualifications, undergo training, and gain hands-on work experience.

Upon course completion, Kai landed a job with our Move On Wood Recycling social enterprise as a Development Worker, under the Community Jobs Scotland program. This role provided him with the platform to hone his skills further and boost his confidence.

Kai shared his experience, stating he

“enjoy[s] the hands on activities, being around other people and learning new skills. Working here also increases my confidence. It’s a great experience.”

After the conclusion of his placement with Community Jobs Scotland, Kai leveraged his training and work experience to secure a full-time position with a manufacturer of electric motors.

In August, Edinburgh hosts the cultural world with the International, Fringe and Book Festivals bringing thousands of performers and visitors. Move On Wood Recycling is at the heart of making the festivals more sustainable, collecting waste wood from venues and pop-up events, and even providing a sustainable alternative for set-building. Even the OSB boards used to display those all important five star reviews can be saved!

You can find out more about the opportunities they offer and their amazing range of products on their website at www.moveonwood.org.uk.

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Want to get involved?

There are all kinds of ways to support our work while getting a great deal. If you work at a business which creates a lot of wood waste, you can use our wood waste collection service. If you’re interested in timber, wooden products, or volunteering, get in touch with your local enterprise to find out more.