Innovation

The intermediate labour market approach model (ILM), underpins Cothrom’s approach to training. This way of working is unique to the area, meeting a specific need and complementing other local training provision. The objective of the ILM model is to give people a chance to go back to work by improving their employability because they were eliminated from the labour market. They do this by delivering a bespoke learning plan for each participant including training, personal development, confidence building and job search activities.

It requires time for these employability skills to become embedded but experience has shown that this comprehensive re-engagement approach is often much more effective in helping learners to make lasting progress and gain the motivation, skills and experience to sustain employment in the long term.

The ILM approach can also contribute to local regeneration - delivering local services which may not otherwise be provided –Cothrom’s ReStore project, does exactly that by filling gaps in the local household recycling provision.

The purpose of Cothrom is to provide community based learning and training opportunities supported by quality childcare, which enables inclusion and encourages full participation in the economic and cultural life of the area it serves. Although the main activity is adult learning and training, the organisation also runs a furniture and textile recycling social enterprise and full time Gaelic Nursery for up to 32 children. Training programmes include; Furniture Restoration, Adult Learning, PC Passport, ESOL, Employability Fund, SVQ Social Services, SVQ Business and Administration, SVQ Social Services and Healthcare, SVQ Management, SVQ Hospitality and SVQ Horticulture. The income from the furniture restoration and recycling business funds Cothrom’s training.

Training is financed by collecting unwanted furniture and refurbishing and selling it in their own shop to the community. They understood that because there were limited options for buying furniture, the people of Uist would buy from them, and this would provide them with income.

Before Cothrom, the people of South Uist had the option to either buy from a small family run business on the Isle of Benbecula, which is a short drive north of the island, or buying flat-packed furniture from an online store. Previously, unwanted furniture would just go straight to landfill.

Cothrom is part of a European Structural Funds program which resulted in them becoming involved in a partnership with High Hopes in the Highlands and Islands which included people from all over Scotland, Belgium and Poland. Part of their job was to visit these countries to understand what was innovative about their CDO’s. This is how the management became involved in the innovation and how they came to apply it to Cothrom.

In relation to a purpose, there is a ‘two-pronged’ outlook as they take unwanted goods from the community as well as providing them with training. Therefore, by tailoring their training around each individual relates to their purpose of promoting that they are doing what they can for the local community through the promotion of a circular economy.

Inspiration

In 2005, the organisation realised that a group of learners were not reaching their full potential. This group is a 50+ age group of unemployed. A main reason for unemployment was the lack of appropriate training provision on the Island. “They didn’t want to be sitting in front of a computer or doing a Scottish Vocational Qualification(SVQ), they wanted to be doing something practical with their hands and their skills”. As a result, the ReStore social enterprise was formed, allowing individuals of all ages to participate in practical training, which is the recycling, up-cycling and restoration of donated furniture.

Cothrom became aware of a group of people needing to develop their skills to enhance their employability prospects. This was due to the fact that in 2011, 34.7% of the population of South Uist do not have any qualifications and 21.9% of the population holds O levels or Standard Grades qualifications. This prompted them to offer tailored training to the population of South Uist. Rather than offer generic training courses, tailored training programs are determined by individual needs assessments, or by what people want to improve, given there are no alternative on the island.

Overall impact

As Cothrom is a social enterprise as well as a community and development organisation, their activities have a major impact on the business, the island, and the environment. Cothrom’s success has generated and attracted external funds for expansion and they are nine months in to building a brand new furniture and textile recycling facility costing almost £1 million in South Uist. This is funded by The Big Lottery, Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grants Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, LandAid, SnBM Community Fund, and The Western Isles Development Trust. This new facility is custom-built for the specific needs of Cothrom. This means that the new development will provide double the number of training places and will be able to offer more apprenticeships for young people.

Cothrom’s training and development has enabled students to progress in training with the business managing to engage sixty-five new students. Within the small organisation, 62% of the 65 new students have pursued further education or full/part-time jobs. This training helps to combat unemployment, which according to Census Statistic reached 4.6% in 2011.

Regarding the organisation’s recycling operations there has been a significant impact in relation to landfills. “We have a huge impact on the environment, we not only recycle furniture but we also recycle textiles so we are saving an awful lot from landfill, so in terms of our environment here, it’s much better”. A staggering 70 tonne of products including textiles, handbags and shoes have been prevented from travelling to such sites since 2010. This is also creating a healthy reputation for the organisation that does its utmost to carry out business responsibly and sustainably.

Business benefit

As Cothrom is a very innovative organisation, it allows for differentiation as there is no organisation like it in South Uist. It provides a business benefit in two ways. As Cothrom collects used furniture, and then recycles and upcycles it, they are not spending money on raw materials, which reduces overall costs. Also, as they are constructing a new building, this will potentially allow for additional income, benefiting the organisation. With the internships Cothrom offers, it helps reduce organisational costs as these interns “provide a chance to do what you don’t have time for”. Cothrom has ideas and projects they would like to put in place, they do not have time for and the resources such as staff to do these projects. These interns provide Cothrom with this capacity.

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Social and environmental benefit

The business has a major benefit for the society and the environment. The training helps combat unemployment. Cothrom's business idea has atrracted funding from The People’s Postcode Trust. This funding has allowed Cothrom to upgrade the Walled Garden in Daliburgh. The objective of this was to create a therapeutic learning space for learners in South Uist. This helps to benefit the society and the ReStore project saves wastage to landfill, benefitting the environment. As they raise awareness about the importance of recycling and upcycling, this helps to spread the knowledge about how to make use of their unwanted furniture. Putting this knowledge into practice is what benefits the organisation, ensuring that there is a positive impact on the business, community and environment.

Interview

Barbara MacDonald, Nick Crowe, Manager, ReStore Development Officer