Welsh Office Minister hails thriving community spirit in North Wales Social Enterprise.
Welsh Office Minister David Jones has commended a North Wales Social Enterprise for embodying the kind of community spirit central to the Government…
Welsh Office Minister David Jones has commended a North Wales Social Enterprise for embodying the kind of community spirit central to the Government’s vision for the Big Society.
Wales Office Minister David Jones said the Crest Co-operative is a true example of the power of the third sector changing people’s lives for the better. The project, based in Llandudno Junction , but operating throughout North Wales, organises a food-sharing scheme aimed at helping homeless and vulnerable people and creates work placement opportunities for adults with learning difficulties.
The project also operates a community store and kerbside collection scheme, benefiting more than 30,000 people in the Conwy area. The Minister toured Crest’s ‘FareShare’ warehouse last Friday where he met adults with learning disabilities taking part in supported work placements and visited the community shop.
Mr. Jones said: “I am proud that projects like Crest Co-operative are engaging so strongly with the communities around them and having a direct role in their revival. The Crest Co-operative plays an enormous part in supporting vulnerable people and changing lives but also does so sustainably - through diverting food from landfill, to recycling textiles.
“This is the kind of forward-thinking vision that the Government wants to see - people taking charge and leading the way in improving their communities.”
Mr. Jones added: “Big Society is about taking responsibility for the things that matter and taking action. For social recovery to be a reality, the power to make decisions should lie with the community, not with politicians and bureaucrats.”
Notes
The Crest Co-operative website can be found at www.crestcooperative.co.uk