The Welsh Centre for Action on Dependency and Addiction (WCADA) has been providing support and treatment for those affected by substance misuse for over 30 years. Based in Swansea Bay and Bridgend, the agency is one of the leading substance misuse treatment centres in Wales using strategies and support tailored to individuals needs.
One of the innovative support treatments offered is the DOMINO programme. The project helps individuals to develop motivation for new outlooks in life, predominantly using creative and recreational activities to provide new experiences and diversionary therapy.
There are daily activities available which include cookery, craft lessons, music sessions, hiking and photography classes with group leaders seeking interesting and engaging events to motivate the group members.
Earlier in 2016 the group were offered the chance to develop a community allotment in Mumbles. Committing to a task in mid-winter with limited budget and resources was a challenging opportunity for DOMINO Project Manager Lynn Davies who spread the word through her network. Within days Lynn had received offers of support and supplies including construction materials from Recipro Wales.
Recipro Wales is a collaborative project between Constructing Excellence in Wales, Swansea Care and Repair and the inventors of Recipro-UK (www.recipro-uk.com), to arrange the donation of surplus materials to charitable organisations and community projects.
DOMINO received supplies of timber and pallets which enabled the group to construct a meeting place at the allotments, giving them the chance to hold the activity whatever the weather and while planting seeds, the group could reflect on their plans and discuss their future goals.
Offering therapeutic activities whilst being environmentally conscious is an important principle for DOMINO. Project Manager Lynn Davies explains: “Our project supports individuals to discover diversionary pastimes helping to inspire our group members and by giving training and education allowing them to easily keep up their new found interest in their home environment. It’s vital that our sessions use affordable and accessible materials and supplies so the connection with Recipro Wales has been fantastic and ensured good value for our budget and reduction of waste reusing perfectly good materials that may have otherwise been disposed of to landfill.”
Small quantities of unused, surplus construction materials are donated to Recipro Wales by construction businesses and these materials are available for community groups, schools and social enterprises to access at heavily discounted rates for use in projects – giving useful materials a second chance and avoiding costly disposal. You can view items available for reuse here: Recipro Wales - type ‘Wales’ in the search bar.
If you are interested in finding out more and joining a growing network of businesses who are reducing site waste and supporting local communities you can make direct contact with the project team – Daniel Bowcott on 029 2049 3322 , Daniel.Bowcott@cewales.org.uk or Darren Plummer swansea@recipro-city.co.uk or call 07825 250963
