Mobile phone scheme could ring the changes for Bath’s disadvantaged
Unwanted mobile phones could give some of the most disadvantaged people in Bath the chance to get back to work.
The charity Developing Health and Independence (DHI) is launching a scheme where its clients collect surplus mobiles from shops, businesses and individuals in the city and recycle them.
The charity receives money for the recycling and this goes to pay the clients a wage and meet the overheads of the scheme, which is called Ring the Changes.
DHI’s clients include people who are unemployed for reasons such as homelessness, emotional difficulties, learning disabilities, or alcohol or drug addiction.
The scheme will employ a succession of clients as it progresses, each working for a few hours a week to promote the project and seek donations of unwanted phones. The workers arrange for the phones to be reused or recycled through one of Ring the Changes’ reputable recycling partners.
The first worker to be employed is James, who has been a client at DHI for five months.
James has progressed well, taking advantage of the charity’s services, such as counselling and hopes that the experience he gains running Ring the Changes will help him get a permanent job in the future. He is also interested in counselling as a career and has gained qualifications in hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming.
“I am very excited about getting the chance to get back into work and doing something to help the environment at the same time,” said James (who prefers not to reveal his full identity). “I’m hoping to build on this work to develop a career, and DHI has been very good in giving me the chance to move on.”
Mark Coates, DHI’s Social Enterprise Development Director, said: “We are offering invaluable experience to people who would otherwise struggle to find work. We're expecting that each worker will leave us with new skills and a positive reference, putting them in a good position to find permanent employment elsewhere.
“This scheme is exciting and unusual because it’s the first of a series of programmes we want to set up which will offer employment to our clients and give them a chance to work their way back to independence. It’s all about helping people to help themselves.
“I’m confident James will seize this opportunity to get back into the world of work."
Anyone who has a mobile phone they do not want should contact James on 07875 228158, or email ringthechanges@dhibath.org.uk
For more detail see the page: http://www.dhi-online.org.uk/whats_on/index.php
For more information contact:
Tony Trueman, DHI Fundraiser
07964 023392
tonytrueman@dhibath.org.uk
