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A community wood recycling business is saving wood waste from landfill sites and in the process creating training and work experience for 15 local unemployed people.
A community wood recycling business is saving wood waste from landfill sites and in the process creating training and work experience for 15 unemployed people in the Donegall Road area of Belfast.
The TREE project - which stands for The Greater Village Regeneration Trust's Timber Recycling Eco Enterprise - was officially opened last week by David Hanson MP, Minister for Social Development.
Mr Hanson said it was a great "example of what can be achieved through effective partnerships between government departments other agencies and the community/voluntary sector."
PARTNERSHIP
TREE was created up by the Greater Village Regeneration Trust (GVRT) to gather industrial waste wood and material from the wood working industry, recycle it on a previously vacant site, and stimulate economic activity on the Donegall Road.
It is run in partnership with Sandy Row Community Forum and the Roden Street Community Development Group with support from Belfast Local Strategy Partnership. The project also aims to increase local environmental awareness.
Tommy Morrow, chair of the GVRT, said that the project is an excellent example of how communities should be working together. He said, "The TREE project has created employment, volunteering, training, and work experience opportunities, as well as useful wood items for sale that would otherwise have gone to landfill".
EMPLOYMENT
Fifteen unemployed people are studying for the City and Guilds Basic Construction and Wood Working Award at Castlereagh College, with TREE providing work experience to boost their future employability.
FOR SALE
A range of recycled wood turned or carved items are now for sale. Items include crafts, ornaments and household goods.
Specially commissioned orders are also welcomed from architects, builders and members of the public. TREE is also on the look out for a nearby retail outlet to expand into.
MORE
You can drop by at TREE, 301-303 Donegall Road, during opening hours (Monda -Thursday, 8.00am - 4.00pm, and on Fridays, 8.00am - 1.00pm) or phone 
028 9023 3375.
Picture Caption: David Hanson MP talks with Michael Pitman, a volunteer and local resident in the Greater Village Area.
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