£53k deal for N Yorks charity

The £53,953 contract has been awarded to Northallerton-based Chopsticks, which provides work activities and training for people with learning disabilities, through Jobcentre Plus which is co-financing the initiative with European Social Funding.

The company collects waste wood and delivers kindling to companies throughout York and North Yorkshire.

The contract will require Chopsticks, which last year launched an appeal to raise £850,000 to buy land and acquire purpose-built premises in Northallerton, to provide National Proficiency Test Council Certification training at entry level in Skills For Working Life covering activities in woodworking, retail and horticulture.

The training will encourage motivation, confidence building and self-esteem. Three different groups will be trained between now and March 2004.

Colin Walker, Chopsticks' development officer, one of six in the management team, said: "We are very pleased to have won this contract, which is in recognition of our substantial experience in assisting adults with learning difficulties. We're looking forward to delivering the training.

But, he stressed, the funding would all be used to fulfil the contract. "We still require substantial public and corporate support to enable us to reach our new-premises appeal target. It is essential that we achieve this to ensure our long-term survival so we can continue to provide valuable services for people with learning difficulties and other disadvantaged groups in the local community."

Lindsay Ross, managing director of Thirsk-based design build company Severfield-Reeve Projects, an industry supporter of the Chopsticks new premises appeal, said: "This award further demonstrates Chopsticks' credibility and the genuine benefit that the charity provides to the community, through helping those with learning disabilities to realise their potential within the community."

Updated: 10:48 Tuesday, July 01, 2003