Real Nappy Schemes -
Promoting Waste Prevention Through Partnership
| Women's
Environmental Network Real Nappy Schemes - Promoting Waste Prevention Through Partnership |
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This index has been compiled with the generous co-operation of the many organisations involved in real nappy partnerships. WEN would like to thank everyone who participated in its creation. The information published has been provided by the 'partnerships' and there are not yet any national standard methods for information gathering and calculations. Publication here does not imply endorsement by WEN of any particular methodology. If you are actively promoting real nappies in partnership with another organisation and would like your scheme to be included in our index please e-mail nappies@wen.org.uk |
Funded
by |
| Fenland Community Laundry Service Ltd |
| Areas Served Fenland, N Cambridgeshire |
| Type of Scheme Laundry Service |
| Start Year 2003 |
| End Year Ongoing |
| New Real Nappy Users No Information Yet |
| No. of Temporary Jobs 3 |
| No. of Permanent Jobs 0 |
| Waste Prevented (tonnes) No Information Yet |
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Money Saved on Expenditure No Information Yet |
| Money Saved on Disposal No Information Yet |
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Notes Funding: SEED, CCORN, CO-OP, SureStart, Fenland District Council, COVER - Community Champions grant. Aims of scheme: To promote the use of cloth nappies and environmental and health benefits thereof; provide an affordable, convenient alternative to disposable nappies; make available voluntary and paid work opportunities for people within the local community; to utilise existing skills and provide on the job training to develop new skills; and to offer training opportunities for disadvantaged cultural and social groups. Scheme history: Nikki DiGiovanni, founder of Fenland Community Laundry Service Ltd (FCLS) got in touch with Sandra Hooper, a Community Enterprise Advisor from Enterprise Fenland (EF). Together with volunteers a committee was formed, an official constitution for a company Limited by Guarantee was written and a bank account opened. Sandra also showed the committee how to apply for funding from a variety of sources. Sandra’s contacts with the Marwick Centre (local community centre) in March, Cambridgeshire have proved invaluable. "To grow and prosper even as a social enterprise, we must be sustainable", said Nikki DiGiovanni. "We found there were already several, similar, successful schemes around the country and quickly gained the confidence that we could do the same. Sandra has helped us create a business-like foundation and put the quality of our service first - just like any other commercial organisation". The scheme began in September 2003. Scheme: This project is a twice a week laundry service for only £8.95 per week including delivery and collection. All nappies, covers, liners and a lockable storage container are provided. Up to 100 cloth nappies per week are offered for the set price of £8.95 which is ideal for those families with one or more babies/toddlers in nappies at the same time. As well as prefolds, some shaped nappies, fleece covers, boosters, and liners are available. An ethical policy has been put in place as part of the scheme and all purchases and waste are governed by this document. FCLS also trade under the name of Honeybee Babies selling cloth nappies for those wishing to launder nappies at home. In association with Cambridgeshire Real Nappy Network, Nappuccinos will be held at the laundry premises every Thursday morning from 3rd June 2004. Promotion: Leaflets, adverts in NCT publications, recommendations from health visitors and nappy advisors. Achievements: The scheme is very much in its infancy but has already employed a part-time worker who is a young woman with 'a learning disability'. SureStart have received phonecalls and emails thanking them for supporting the laundry. The set price is an antipoverty measure as Fenland is an area with high teenage pregnancy occurrence with many of them having several children in nappies. We are a "by the people for the people community group". Three new positions have been created with a possible fourth and fifth position in the near future (part-time family friendly hours). Future plans: With help and advice from Enterprise Fenland, the Project is already planning its next moves. "We are broadening our outlook and plan to include other sectors of the community in the long-term", said Nikki. "Our ideas include starting a nappy manufacturing unit to provide much needed local employment, especially for those with learning disability and using the skills of the over 50’s for manufacturing and customer service roles". More customers are needed to secure the project's long term future as well as researching suitable training courses or qualifications that our staff and volunteers could work towards. The main towns within the area that FCLS cover are Wisbech, March, Chatteris, Whittlesley, Huntingdon and Ramsey plus all villages in the Fenland district. Other places further afield my be covered subject to demand. All enquiries are welcome as the scheme is constantly reviewing and extending its remit. |
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