4Rs Recycling CIC, Derry

This Community Interest Company was established to reduce the amount of material going to landfill and – in the process of upcycling unwanted furniture, white goods and other household items for retail re-sale – offer work placements and a schools programme providing the opportunity to train local youngsters in basic joinery and develop other skills.  (They also run an Active Inclusion Project working with people with disabilities or learning difficulties – to offer training and skills development and help them find gainful employment or further training opportunities.)  The CIC applied for funding as their tools were well-used and many required replacement.  Cllr Angela Dobbins spoke highly of this “terrific group” who, in addition to re-cycling and upcycling items for re-sale, had been involved in ‘wiping clean’ and re-purposing old tablets etc for distribution to children who are in need of such devices to enable home-schooling during the on-going pandemic.  She was more than willing to sanction funding and, on this basis, the Committee awarded a grant of £1,000 towards new saws, hammers, screwdrivers, chisels, wood and fixings (screws and nails).  We heard from 4Rs that the tools and equipment they were able to purchase with the grant “have helped us to develop our programmes such as The She Shed and have been invaluable to our students and participants”.