Local charity named green champion at national awards

A local mental health charity is celebrating after being named a green champion at a national award ceremony on Monday 15 November.

Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind’s Work 2 Grow programme was one of only three charity-run projects to be recognised at the 2010 Green Apple awards which seek to promote and reward environmental best practice among UK businesses. The Yarmouth project received its environmental award in recognition of its efforts to integrate sustainable development into all activities.

The Work 2 Grow scheme, which offers accredited training courses in woodworking and joinery to people in the Yarmouth area who are affected by mental ill health, received the award because of its ongoing commitment to using recycled materials such as wood diverted from landfill.

In addition to training people in practical skills and supporting them back into employment, Work 2 Grow also raises awareness with its learners about the impact of waste on the environment.

Stuart Bennett, development manager at Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind, represented the charity at the award ceremony held in the House of Commons, where he collected the charity’s second Green Apple award in as many years.

As a Green Apple winner, Mind now has the opportunity to join the International Green Heroes – an elite group of environmental achievers who use their experience to help thousands of others around the world.

Sylvia Moore, chief executive of Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind, says the organisation is more committed than ever to promoting the benefits of sustainability. “We’re thrilled to receive a second successive Green Apple award and will continue to use our knowledge and expertise to educate others about the need for environmentally friendly business practices.”

Mind’s Work 2 Grow programme has helped more than 80 people in the local area to access training and support since being launched in January.

If you want to contact Mind about the Work 2 Grow programme, or for support and advice, please visit www.gywmind.org.uk, call 01493 851 866 or visit the office at 31 Caister Road, Great Yarmouth.

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