The group received some support under a pioneering initiative from the Welsh Office called the All Wales Strategy, but mostly relied on the energy and enthusiasm of parents, local people and others working in an area that had long been seen as belonging to health and social services professionals.
Highlights and work to date
• Residential and employment project-provided real work and “
ordinary life” experiences over the course of three years for eight
people with learning disabilities on a cottage holding (called Cae-Post) near
Welshpool. It was eventually decided to move away from residential support
and focus on Cae Post‘s key aim; providing work opportunities and work
training.
• Employment research project and pilot employment placement scheme
working with a local Training Manager
• For a number of years Cae Post worked in partnership with the Llanfyllin
based Trackside Charcoal project
• After the residiential project, a Garden Services
and Landscaping service was set up. This provided part-time work for people
with learning disabilities and ran for over three years
• From that project grew the tradition of offering a Christmas Tree
recycling service in Welshpool and Newtown and from that collaboration with
the District Council, grew…….
• The plastic bottle recycling project. This was set up in 1996 in Trewern
near Welshpool. In 2003, a new Resource Recovery Centre was opened to be run
by Cae Post with grant funding from the Wales Assembly Government and in partnership
with with Powys County Council Waste Management Department.
People with learning disabilities are now making a significant contribution
to their communities by assisting with the new recycling plans for Powys and
beyond. In addition, Cae Post through New Deal and other schemes, has offered
work and training to others who face barriers to employment. Cae Post focus
remains to assist and support those who, facing a variety of barriers, wish
to contribute to their communities though paid and unpaid work in every way
possible.