chopsticks north yorkshire

In 1995 a small group of people with learning disabilities at Northallerton and Dales MENCAP Centre were encouraged by their Support Worker to start working for themselves. They started to chop firewood from scrap timber and sell the kindling to local people under the name "Chopsticks"

In 1997 the society was started with a grant from North Yorkshire Social Services Department; it registered as a non-profit making member-led Industrial and Provident Society (No: 28519R). Chopsticks holds charitable status as an Exempt Charity.

In the same year the society obtained a three year grant of from the National Lotteries Charity Board. This enabled the purchase of equipment (automatic saw bench, wooden pallet dismantler and other equipment) through which firewood production was boosted considerably.

The society was successful in securing a contract with Employment Services in 1997 to provide work preparation for unemployed people under the P.A.C.T scheme. In 1997 the society gained a good reputation for helping unemployed people in 1999/2000 was asked by Employment Services to provide work experience for New Deal clients.

In April 2000 the society set up its low cost garden and home maintenance service for older people living in the Northallerton, Thirsk and Bedale areas to allow them to continue to enjoy their own homes and postpone the need for them to enter residential care.

In 2002 the Society was awarded the Duke of York’s Community Initiative for best practice in community enterprise and leadership.