Increasing opportunities for adults with learning disabilities or autism, whilst increasing production of community reuse and recycling

Funding allows greater participation and more affordable goods

COPE Ltd is a local social enterprise and charity which provides employment and skill development for adults with learning disabilities or autism.  They do this through their three business units – Shetland Soap Company, Shetland Garden Co and Shetland Home Co.

Each participant has an individual personal development plan, and each year they support many participants through the ASDAN Workright Awards. COPE works closely with the Shetland Islands Council and employability partners and forums when it comes to support and referrals. COPE also welcome feedback from their customers and donators of goods at Shetland Home Co . There was a mutual desire to be able to receive, process and sell a greater range of products at affordable prices, however, the only way to do this was to increase staff and participant time that was available.

COPE engaged with staff and participants on project proposals, and a COPE participant joined the CEO in presenting their Funding Bid to the Bank of Scotland Foundation. In late 2022 COPE received funding for the project for 2 years. This has allowed for leasing a second van and employing an additional 1.75 FTE   support staff to secure and enhance the provision of skills development placements.  The funding allows COPE to process more essential household goods and ensure they can provide more affordable goods into the community to help mitigate the cost of living crisis. COPE also aim to ensure more sessions are available at Shetland Home Co for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism.

COPE believe that through the project an additional 500 individuals from across Shetland will benefit, with increased access to low-cost, quality and safety checked, second hand, essential household goods.  This is significant with the cost of living crisis and the levels of inflation being experienced. The project is still in its first six months but has had an immediate impact on the organisation and crucially the individuals COPE support. The challenge will be to work to ensure financial sustainability of the additional resource at the end of the 2 year project. 

The project links to our ‘People’, ‘Place’ and ‘Money’ priorities. With more sessions available at Shetland Home Co for individuals with learning disability and/or autism, there is greater opportunity for individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. With more opportunity to receive, process and sell a greater range of products at affordable prices, this not only helps contribute to a low carbon economy, it also supports people to minimise their outgoings. With the creation of jobs, people are accessing employment in innovative ways designed to minimise barriers to involvement.