DISC News Items - Updated 27/03/08

Northumberland eco project to help people back to work plans sponsored walk to raise funds for minibus

Staff and volunteers on a Northumberland environmental project to help people move off benefits and into work are planning a sponsored walk in September to raise funds for a minibus.

The B-Leaf (Blyth Valley Local Environmental Action Force) project provides volunteering opportunities on nature reserves, woodlands, and allotments to enable people with a history of unemployment to gain the skills, work experience and references they need to turn their lives round and move into paid employment.

The idea for the week-long 95 mile trek along the West Highland Way in Scotland came from enthusiastic B-Leaf volunteers who want to raise money for a vehicle to transport future volunteers to projects.

They are currently looking for sponsors for food, fuel, vehicle hire and camping and cooking equipment for the walk. Anyone interested in offering any kind of support should ring B-Leaf project worker Pam Hamill at Blyth Valley District Council on 01670 542361 or email phamill@blythvalley.gov.uk.

Volunteer Michael Sharp got involved with B-Leaf after an industrial accident damaged his knee and left him unable to work. He said: “B-Leaf has made a huge difference to my future. I was gutted to have to give up my original job. When I went to the Jobcentre I found that my very specific skills and my injury made it very difficult for me to find suitable work. Then I heard about B-Leaf offering people like me a chance to train in environmental skills. I love outdoor work so I decided to go along. Since then I’ve never looked back!”

Michael’s skills and enthusiasm landed him a paid job with the project as a Wild Space Network Officer. He said: “I really enjoy seeing the difference we’re making to communities. The kids where I live all know what I do and recently asked me me if I’d clear a country path that they would like to use. So the team got down there and did it. I can’t imagine any other work would be as rewarding. I even decided to take on the garden at our office as my own personal project!”

Pam Hamill, B-Leaf Volunteer Training and Placements Co-ordinator, said “It’s a win win situation all round. Blyth Valley Borough Council needs environmental volunteers. Vulnerable people need opportunties. B-Leaf is about providing those opportunities and helping people get the skills and confidence they need for their futures, and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles. Many of our volunteers have never had a job before. Some have health problems or doors closed on them, but genuinely want to change their lives.”

Rob Caton, B-Leaf Environmental Projects Officer, said: “B-Leaf is also about taking care of our environment. Volunteers are contributing to the community and making our public spaces more attractive. The National Trust recently engaged us to work on their sites, which is a real boost for B-Leaf and our volunteers.”

Rob Caton and Michael Sharp are organising the the logistics & planning of the walk from Sept 20-27. They are training 6-10 walkers to do the walk in stages and make camp in the evenings, alternating one night in a registered campsite with a night in the wilderness. They are also training ground staff, who will put up and take down tents, cook meals and provide first aid and other back up for the walkers.

As the B-Leaf project is proving successful plans are underway to roll out similar schemes in other parts of Northumberland with Northumberland County Council, and DEFRA (Department for Food and Rural Affairs) is writing up the project as a best practice case study.

B-Leaf is a partnership between northern social inclusion charity Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities (DISC), Blyth Valley Borough Council & the Northumberland Drug and Alcohol Team.

Anyone interested in volunteering with B-Leaf or sponsoring the walkers should ring Pam Hamill at Blyth Valley District Council on 01670 542361 or email phamill@blythvalley.gov.uk. For further information about the walk and the equipment contact Rob Caton on 01670 542344 or rcaton@blythvalley.gov.uk.

Updated 27/03/08