Disability Training and Employment Service to launch new branding at summer fete

Neath Port Talbot Council is due to launch the new branding for its pan disability training and employment service.

The new branding, Bspoked Enterprises, will be an overarching brand used to promote all of the activities, products and services provided by the project.  The branding has been developed to help with shifting the service to become a more commercial and business like operation.

The project provides training and employment opportunities for people with a range of disabilities or mental health issues. People within the service are involved in the full process of designing, creating and selling the products that are all made from donated recyclable materials.

The service is split into a number of mini-enterprises that will come under the Bspoked brand.  Intandem is a second hand bike sales, servicing and repairs business that works in partnership with Swansea University on the WeCycle bike pool scheme.  Bspoked Furniture is the making of innovative furniture items using recyclable bike parts.  Craft Friendly involves turning unused and unwanted items into handmade cards, jewellery and textile products.  The Glass Friendly brand is the upcycling of all types of unused glass such as jam jars and beer bottles into unique display items. Bspoked will also incorporate the Sandwich Box which currently provides a delivery service of freshly made snacks to Cimla Health and Social Care Centre.

Bspoked Enterprises has recently formed a pilot partnership with social enterprise Cyfle I Dyfu that creates and sells products made from wood. This has given people further opportunities to widen their skills.

People are able to rotate between the schemes to diversify their skills and attain accredited qualifications to recognise their practical experience.

The new branding, website and social media channels will be officially launched at the Bspoked summer fete on Friday 14th August. The fete will be taking place at the Vocational Skills Centre, Monastery Road, Neath Abbey Business Park, SA10 7DR and will be open between 10:00am and 3:00pm. The fete is open to everyone who wants to come along and browse the products and services on offer and view the full process of how the products are made. The centre will be selling food and drink for visitors to taste and there will also be a raffle with the opportunity to win a range of Bspoked gifts as well as other donated prizes.

If you would like to view the Bspoked products, visit the website www.bspokedenterprises.co.uk.

Cllr Ali Thomas OBE, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said, “Improving outcomes and consequently improving lives for people with disabilities is one of our top priorities”.

“Providing credible employment and training opportunities is crucial to this and can only be good news for the people in terms of helping them to be as independent as possible”.