Inch Architecture +Design Ltd
Inverclyde Association for Mental Health (In-Work Ltd) achieves ‘guaranteed ethical’ business Award
June 2014
Greenock based Inverclyde Association for Mental Health has been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark for their Horticultural Company In-work Ltd, which proves they are in business to help people and protect the environment.
The Social Enterprise Mark Company is the only authority which provides certification to businesses which have proved they operate as a social enterprise, putting people and planet before shareholder profit. The Social Enterprise Mark helps people recognise these unique businesses, acting as a guarantee that profits are used to provide a network of sustainable support & opportunities to enable people with mental health issues maximise their potential within the community of Inverclyde.
Inverclyde Association for Mental Health joins other ethical businesses that have been recognised by being awarded the Mark such as the Eden Project, Big Issue, and Age Scotland Enterprises Limited, CRISIS Counselling, and the Lennox Partnership.
Government data estimates that there are 70,000 social enterprises across the UK, contributing over £24 billion to the economy and employing around a million people.
Social enterprises plough the majority of their profits back into activities that benefit people and planet, rather than just lining shareholders pockets. Social enterprises are working to make a difference across the UK and beyond, but not enough people know what they are or how they work. The Social Enterprise Mark aims to raise awareness of what social enterprises do in order to get more people to buy from, engage with, start up and work for social enterprises.
Inverclyde Association for Mental Health were early adopters of horticultural therapy and in 1993 set up In-Work Horticultural & Landscaping Services, to providing training, voluntary and work-related opportunities in landscaping, ground maintenance and horticulture to people who have experienced mental health issues. In-Work deliver projects to a range of public, private and 3rd sector clients in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and Glasgow including Scotrail stations, Riverside Inverclyde and Riverside Homes and have built a strong local reputation for their quality, health and safety and positive social outcomes. Over 300 participants have been assisted over the years, training in new skills and learning how to overcome social and economic barriers and to live with their mental health issues.
Margaret Tait, Operations Manager, said, “We’re really proud to have been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. Inverclyde Association for Mental Health is absolutely committed to supporting sustainable businesses and consequently helping local communities to thrive and prosper”.
Lucy Findlay, Managing Director, Social Enterprise Mark Company, advised:
"With more and more opportunities opening up every day for social enterprises to deliver health services, the Social Enterprise Mark has an important role to play in helping people understand when their health provider is genuinely socially motivated. The Social Enterprise Mark is available across the country and we hope it’s as successful as Fairtrade, in helping people buy in a more ethical way."
PUPILS at a Greenock nursery have been helping to ‘green’ their surroundings.
7 July 2014
Children at Wellington Children’s Centre got involved in brightening up the area around their nursery. Funding for the effort came from local housing association River Clyde Homes and the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund. The project is being carried out through Achieve Inverclyde, a partnership between River Clyde Homes, Inverclyde Community Development Trust and In-Work.
Set up in November 2012, Achieve Inverclyde aims to improve environments in specific estates across Inverclyde, while providing unemployed young people with the skills, experience and support to undertake the work. The hope is that they will move into longer term employment or further education to improve their skills, motivation and confidence. To date 11 participants have moved into employment.
Russell Smith, manager of Cleaner, Greener Neighbourhoods at River Clyde Homes said: “We consulted with people in the Lynedoch Street area over what environmental improvements they would like to see in their neighbourhood. A full programme has been developed and residents will receive regular updates on progress. This initiative at the nursery marks the launch of the programme and the aim is to have a cross-section of the community involved. To have young people involved at the beginning and to raise awareness of their local area is really encouraging.”
Elizabeth Jack, head of the Wellington Children’s Centre, said: “Not only will the plants brighten up the exterior of the centre, the children had a great time working with the trainees in planting the shrubs. I look forward to seeing the end results.”
Allan Maliska of In-Work added: “We’re happy to be part of this project as it gives young people a great chance to gain a host of life skills and ultimately to improve their employment opportunities.”
New Chairman Elected
January 2015
We are delighted to welcome John Dyer as the new Chairman of Inverclyde Association of
Mental Health. John follows in the footsteps of Alan Robertson who served the Association
for the last year.
John has been an active Board Member for several years and was the Branch manager of Yorkshire Building Society
Green fingered volunteers are bloomin’ chuffed after their work at Glengarnock Railway Station resulted in a prestigious award.
30 Sep 2013
The station was granted ‘Silver Status’ in Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Tidy Station Standards programme.
The environmental charity have assessed all 347 stations in Scotland since summer 2011 – judging them
on issues such as litter, recycling, waste management and community links before awarding Bronze, Silver, and a small number of Gold statuses. Glengarnock’s Silver award marks a turnaround for the station, after
it failed even to achieve Bronze when last assessed in 2011.
Since then its appearance has been transformed thanks to the work of In-Work Limited, the landscaping
arm of Inverclyde Association for Mental Health, which provides gardening opportunities for people recovering from mental health issues. As part of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station project, In-Work has added colourful floral displays to brighten the appearance of both platforms at the station.
Alan Maliska, In-Work Limited project coordinator, said: “ScotRail’s Adopt a Station project has given us an ideal opportunity to showcase our trainees’ skills – and it is great that all their hard work at Glengarnock has been formally recognised.”
in-Work Enterprises Ltd Company No. SC495974 VAT Registration Number: 208488978