The Development of Can Can ongoing

The Can Can Project comes under the umbrella of Compass Advocacy Network, a local charity which provides empowerment and advocacy for young people and adults with learning disabilities.

Can Can was set up in 1999 as a small recycling project which collected and recycled aluminium cans whilst providing training opportunities to people with learning disabilities. The project was recognised as a highly valuable work experience opportunity and a very worthwhile environmental social enterprise and so new ideas were needed to develop.

The project continued to grow and now collects and recycles a variety of different waste materials such as clothes, shoes, aluminium cans, aluminium foil, mobile phones, ink cartridges, furniture and more whilst providing training and work opportunities to 25 people with learning disabilities. Can Can has now been moved to 22 Seymour Street in Ballymoney in order to cope with the increase of collections and recycling.

Clare Carson, Project Manager at Can Can, explained that "This has been a great move for the Can Can Team. We are continually looking for ways to expand and develop our social enterprise and the new premises will allow us to operate at our full capacity and hopefully provide us with opportunity to offer a greater number of work placements.We haven't moved to far from our roots at Compass, just next door in fact, but the move offers greater space and thus a greater chance for development.

Placements at Can Can generally last for 2 years with the hope that this time provides adequate training and experience for trainees to confidently move onto employment. Training includes many different issues such as building on team working skills, first aid trainingand confidence building. Trainees also get a real insight into the working environment through the various recycling activities they do and it also emphasises the importance of skills necessary for work such as time keeping.

Clare Carson says "I would like to say a huge thank you to all members of the public, community groups, school groups and local business who support the work of Can Can by collecting clothing, cans or cartridges with us. It is your continuous support which has given us opportunity to expand and to continue providing much needed work experience and training opportunities to people with learning disabilities which help to bridge the gap between leaving school and moving on to employment or volunteering opportunities."

Ursula Campbell, a trainee at Can Can, says "My time at Can Can has really helped me to develop my confidence and develop my skills and through my placement I have been able to find employment in a shop."

If you would like any more information on the Can Can project please contact Clare Carson on (028) 2766 7775 or visit us online at www.cancanrecycling.co.uk