Welcome to Groundwork South Essex
Pathways to Employment Conference
“Volunteering – A Pathway to Employment?”
23rd April 10am-1pm
SAVS Centre
Groundwork South Essex and Southend Association of Voluntary
Services(SAVS) are jointly project-managing a conference called
"Pathways to Employment.
Presentation of research and implementation strategy for the Thames
Gateway South Essex area on: volunteering as a pathway to
employment for hard to reach groups, for example, those not in
education or employment, for people with life-limiting conditions
or disabilities, people from black and minority ethnic groups and
anyone facing barriers to employment.
The project is funded by Investors in the Community Programme ,
which is supported by EEDA and Thames Gateway South Essex
Partnership
A free buffet lunch will be provided.
This event is open to voluntary and community groups, councils for
voluntary service and volunteer centres, private companies,
statutory bodies and all interested organisations.
The conference will set out the findings about why people
volunteer and how volunteering can be used to create pathways to
employment. The Conference is seeking the views of regional
and sub-regional practioners to help to utilise this important
activity to help benefit local communities.
For further information, please contact Tony Le Masurier, Chief
Executive SAVS, tlemasurier@savs-southend.co.uk
or call 01702 356000. If you are able to attend please let us
know numbers and any special requirements by contacting info@savs-southend.co.uk, or
call 01702 356004.
Latest Groundwork News 28.02.08
M&S to roll-out charging for food carrier bags across
UK
Marks & Spencer is to roll-out a 5p charge for food carrier
bags in all* of its UK stores from the beginning of May to
encourage customers to reduce the number of bags they use and to
raise money for environmental projects.
All profits generated from the charge will go to environmental
charity Groundwork and be used to create or improve ‘greener
living spaces' such as parks, play areas and gardens in
neighbourhoods around the UK. It is expected that around 40
neighbourhoods will benefit in the next twelve months.
The unprecedented move follows a successful trial period of
charging for food carrier bags in over 50 M&S stores in
Northern Ireland and the South West of England**. The trial has
seen customers' use of food carrier bags drop by over 70% and
raised over £80,000 for Groundwork. This money is now being
invested in six projects across those regions including the
development of the Daisy Hill Woodland in Newry, the creation of a
play area at the Old Warren Community Centre in Lisburn and
improving a green space at Woodhay Road in Plymouth.
Sir Stuart Rose, Chief Executive, Marks & Spencer
said:
"This move lies at the heart of our 100-point eco plan, Plan A.
We want to make it easy for our customers to do their bit to help
the environment and our trials have shown us that they want to take
action. Just imagine if M&S customers right across the UK cut
the number of food bags they use by 70% - that's over 280 million
bags they'd be saving every year.
"On top of this, our customers will be raising valuable funds
to go to our partner charity, Groundwork, to invest in much-needed
green spaces in our neighbourhoods."
Tony Hawkhead, Chief Executive, Groundwork, said:
"We are very excited to be working with Marks & Spencer to
support Plan A. We all want our neighbourhoods to be cleaner and
greener and our experience shows that when a major household name
takes the initiative, it can encourage millions of people to change
their behaviour. Not only will this scheme reduce the amount of
food carrier bags sent to landfill sites but it will also help
improve the quality of life in towns and cities across the
country."
M&S will launch the national carrier bag charging roll-out
in two phases:
From Sunday 6 April until Monday 5 May customers shopping in
M&S stores across England, Scotland and Wales will receive a
free M&S Bag for Life (usual cost 10p) with every food
transaction***.
Then from Tuesday 6 May a 5p charge will be introduced for
standard food carrier bags****. The Bag for Life will revert to its
usual 10p cost and will be replaced free of charge when worn
out.
Also on 6 May M&S will introduce a brand new standard food
carrier bag made from 100% post consumer waste in all of its stores
- the first bag of its kind to be used by a major UK food retailer
nation-wide. This move will reduce the amount of virgin plastic
M&S uses by 3,400 tonnes per year***** and comes on top
of a 3,300 tonne annual saving that M&S made by converting its
Bag for Life, clothing and home carrier bags to 100% recycled post
consumer waste in April 2007.
The national roll-out of carrier bag charging is a major step
towards M&S' Plan A commitments to aim to reduce carrier bag
usage by a third and send no waste to landfill from its operations
by 2012. Plan A, M&S' business-wide, £200 million
‘eco-plan', was launched in January 2007.******
* Excluding M&S stores that do not sell food: M&S Outlet
stores, M&S Speke and the M&S Home store in Lisburn.
**Since June 2007, M&S has been trialling charging for carrier
bags in its stores in Northern Ireland. Over a six month period the
trial saw carrier bag usage reduced by 70% across the Province and
raised over £80,000 for Groundwork to invest in local
environmental projects.
The trial was extended to 35 M&S stores across the South West
early this year. In the first three weeks of the trial carrier bag
usage has been reduced by over 70% and over £4,300 has been
raised for Groundwork to invest in local environmental
projects.
***Excluding M&S stores in the South West of England and
Northern Ireland where charging is already in place and M&S
Outlet stores.
****Excluding mini food bags and horticultural bags which will be
available free of charge on request.
***** Based on current M&S standard food carrier bag
usage.
******In January 2007 M&S announced Plan A, a five-year, 100
point business-wide ‘eco plan'. Under this plan, by 2012
M&S aims to become carbon neutral; send no waste to landfill
from its operations; extend sustainable sourcing; set new standards
in ethical trading and help customers and employees live a
healthier lifestyle.
The new M&S 100% recycled post consumer waste food carrier bag
has been developed in conjunction with Papier Mettler.
See www.marksandspencer.com/plana
for more information.
For further information contact Daisy Powell for Groundwork on
0121 237 5816/07703535841 or Clare Wilkes for Marks and Spencer on
0208 718 8642.
Groundwork South Essex is a charitable Trust within the East of
England Region. We aim to provide environmental solutions to local
authorities, schools, communities, businesses and a variety of
other organisations big and small.
Groundwork delivers projects through partnerships. We combine
in-depth environmental know-how with expert project management
skills to create partnerships that improve people's local
environment.
Projects range from small community gardens and school ground
improvements to major cycle ways and park refurbishments.
Groundwork's Vision
A society made up of sustainable communities, which are vibrant,
healthy and safe, which respect the local and global environment
and where individuals and enterprise prosper.
Groundwork's Purpose
To build sustainable communities in areas of need through joint
environmental action.
Groundwork's Values
-
Equality and Diversity
-
Innovation and Learning
-
Subsidiarity
-
Integrity and Professionalism
-
Partnership
-
Sustainability
We implement our vision, purpose and values in PARTNERSHIP with
communities and other organisations and deliver holistic PROGRAMMES
of work that address three strategic priorities:
For PEOPLE: creating opportunities for people to learn new
skills and to become more active citizens
-
For PLACES: delivering environmental improvements that create
cleaner, safer and greener neighbourhoods
For PROSPERITY: helping businessess and individuals
to fulfill their potential
