Norwood went mobile this week as the Charity received the keys to a new van which will be used to help it run its work projects for adults with learning disabilities. The van was made possible thanks to a generous £50,000 donation from the Patsy Bloom and Robert Blausten Charitable Trust. Yesterday, Patsy Bloom visited Stanmore to see one such project, Norwood Future Clean, in action. Following the visit, the founder of Pet Plan said: “I am delighted to be associated with such a practical and meaningful cause.”
Launched last August, Norwood Future Clean is an eco-friendly hand valet and car wash service based in Stanmore and Hatch End which is entirely staffed by people with a learning disability. Under the initiative, which is based on social enterprise principles, trainees are taught important work skills which will help them to make the transition into employment in the open market or within the project itself. The project provides the potential for the trained staff to earn an income.
The van will help Future Clean to become mobile in order to generate new business at customers’ premises and create additional job opportunities. Norwood Gifts, another of the Charity’s work projects, will also use the vehicle for transporting stock and display materials for jewellery sales in shopping centres and other retail environments.
Elaine Kerr, Norwood’s Chief Executive, said: “Norwood’s training projects are an exciting and innovative part of our supported employment programme and offer real opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to develop the skills they need to enter the world of work.
“We are extremely grateful to Patsy Bloom for her generous donation, which will help us to develop these projects even further and give many more people the chance to fulfil their potential and become more active members of their community.”
Norwood is steadily expanding its range of training and work opportunities and recently received a three year grant from East Sussex Council to launch a similar Future Clean project in Lewes, which will launch later this year.
Shalev Nymark, 23, from Bushey, Herts, has been supported by Norwood for two years and is currently a trainee with Norwood Future Clean. Through his involvement in the project, he has not only learnt the practical aspects of the role but also health and safety and customer service skills.
He said: “I’ve learnt how to clean cars and how to speak to customers politely. It makes me really happy to have a job and to learn new things.”
