Integrated Services has supplied one of Wakefield’s leading social enterprises with the timber to build brand new workbenches at its unique outdoor learning facility.
The ABLE project, based on a former landfill site in Wakefield, supports social inclusion by providing guidance, training and employment opportunities to disadvantaged young people and offenders through sustainable local food production.
Wakefield Integrated Services branch manager Giles Ricks learned of ABLE’s timber plea from customer Wakefield and District Housing, which is working in partnership with the enterprise by teaching basic joinery skills to people involved in the project. Integrated Services decided to get involved with the worthy cause by donating and delivering a lorry load of timber.
“When I heard that substance mis-users and ex-offenders wanted to build workbenches as part of their rehabilitation, but were unable to start work because there was no timber available, I had to step in and help.
“The ABLE project is a very worthwhile scheme and I feel very happy and proud to be able to support it.”
Laura Severn, Education Co-ordinator, the ABLE Project: said: “As a small charity we rely on volunteers and donations to keep going. The timber has not only been transformed into workbenches for our workshop, but has given the people building the benches invaluable work experience and new skills they can use in the construction industry.”
The benches are the latest addition to the non-for-profit company’s facility, which already includes an iron age roundhouse, a vegetable garden, an aquaphonics greenhouse and nature trail.
Integrated Services is a specialist division within Wolseley UK, offering bespoke integrated supply chain solutions, including stores management and procurement models, to clients responsible for large residential social housing estates, major construction projects and off-site construction.
