Visits and Events of 2010
Can Can held their first ever sponsored walk last Saturday morning in order to help raise vital funds for the project, and are delighted to say it was a great success. The 8 mile walk started from the West Strand Car Park in Portrush and led along the Coast and into Portstewart and back.
Everyone at Can can would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who took part in the walk and also those who made donations. We are extremely pleased to announce that we raised over £1575 with donations still coming in!! The Can Can Team were delighted with the turnout on the day which had over 40 people particpating in the 8 mile walk or the shorter route of 3 miles. Among these 40 people we also had a number of staff and members from Compass Advocacy Network. We were also pleased that our hopes and prayers were answered as the weather was great and allowed all our participants to really enjoy the view of the beautiful coastline. Fruit and water was provided by staff and volunteers along the route which was kindly donated by both ASDA and Lynas' of Coleraine.
Staff and members at Can Can Recycling enjoyed a day out to visit Cookstown Textile Recyclers and the ECOS centre.
Can Can hold an annual day out in order for all of the trainees who work different days to meet each other. We visited Cookstown Textile Recycling so that the trainees could have a chance to see and learn about what happens to the clothes that they collect and sort through each day. We got to see how the clothes were brought in, sorted through, bagged and then how they would they be packed to go. CTR also showed us a DVD on what happens to the clothes when they are sent out to Third World countries.
After visiting CTR, we then moved on to enjoy a bit of lunch at the Countryman Inn.
To finish the day off, we stopped in at the ECOS centre, Ballymena. Here, we learnt about energy resources and how to conserve these. We also had the chance to calculate our carbon footprint and learn how to reduce this. Trainees enjoyed taking part with the interactive games and tasks in order to learn about the environment.
Can-can Baazar held their Spring/ Summer fashion show at the British Legion in Ballymoney. Can-can Bazaar is one of the three social enterprises run by Compass advocacy Network. The annual event is organised in order to showcase a selection of the finest quality items that are donated to Can-can. The audience at the fashion show then had the chance to purchase any of the clothes at the end of the night.
Participants in the Can-can Bazaar Fashion Show.
Visits and Events 2009
Bryson House Recycling and Kilcreggan Farm - June/ August 2009.
The trip to Bryson House Recycling and KiIlcreggan Urban Farm was educational and enjoyed by all. We were able to see the sorting process at Bryson Recycling and all the large machines they use to separate waste goods. We then ventured to Carrickfergus to Kilcreggan Farm. This is a housing development for adults who have learning disabilities. The farm is maintained by the residents with the help of staff. They have a wide range of animals and we were able to feed some of them.
The Can-can team pictured at Bryson House Recycling.
Visits and Events 2007
Two members of staff and one of the operatives at Can Can went on a fact finding trip to a project in Edinburgh. We had been interested in diversifying into other areas and had considered the recycling and refurbishment of bicycles as an option. We visited the project in Edinburgh in order to find out some information on how to start such a scheme. The staff were very helpful, giving us lots of valuable information and new ideas. We got to have a look at the bike mechanics in action, repairing bicycles, and also had a look around the vast premises. The sheer number of bicycles they had was amazing.
Jason and a staff member at the bike statioin in Edinburgh.
Lord Mayors Show - June 2007
Can Can Recycling took part in the Lord Mayors Show in Ballymoney. We all put our glad rags on and participated in the parade through the town. We decorated our vans with streamers and balloons to mark the occasion. All of the staff and operatives involved dressed up in fancy dress. We had made various outfits for the day and all wore green cowboy hats with the Can Can logo on them. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and fun for all involved.
Staff and trainees from Can-can at the Lord Mayors Show.
Staff and trainees of Can Can took part in the Waste Aware Day in Coleraine town centre, joining various other organisations in promoting the importance of recycling. We were also very happy to inform the public of our worthwhile organisation and how they can support us, and handed out flyers to highlight our organisation and the locations of our recycling banks.
Staff and trainees promoting awareness in Coleraine town centre.