Salvage Operation | Made In Stoke-on-Trent

In the bowels of an old pottery factory, a group of determined men eke out a profit from stripping down and recycling electrical waste. All of them have some form of mental health condition or disability. It's a tough business, but one with a dark sense of humour
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Watch the rest of the Made in Stoke-on-Trent series here ► www.theguardian.com/cities/ng-interactive/2018/jan/08/made-in-stoke-on-trent-episode-1-we-have-lift-off

[@macthacker4284]

From 2016 to 2021, I was part of the team at the Community Recycling Consortium, and I truly loved my time there. I successfully completed my level 2 and level 3 apprenticeships under the mentorship of Bill and the rest of the amazing team at CRC. The reason I decided to leave was to pursue further education abroad, but it was the support and guidance from Bill and everyone at CRC that equipped me with the knowledge and skills I now use every day as a system engineer. I am currently employed at an international company with fantastic prospects and a competitive salary, all thanks to CRC's dedication to assisting those with mental or physical health challenges. If it wasn't for my time at CRC, I wouldn't be where I am today and for that, I am always grateful.

[@PsoriasisChannel]

This salvage video is so important as our World keeps churning on.

[@Steve-bo6ht]

This scheme really should get more funding it stops fly tipping and gives people with mental health problems a new lease of life and that can only be a good thing, I have lived in the potteries all my life and projects such as Bill's also keep crime down by giving the youth of the intercity a goal. I simply can't understand why MP's and the council don't get more involved in trying to get more funding for schemes such as this as it helps everybody in the community of Stoke-on-Trent.

[@prashanthb6521]

I wish them all the best. I hope they get more attention and their business increases.

[@JJ-te2pi]

The council, instead of using council workers to pick up fly tip waste, should fund the operation of this business. It provides work for vulnerable people and keeps a business afloat at the same time.

[@nepadron]

I find it so interesting they have not secured any funding for employing disabled individuals and providing on the job training. It's these types of groups that, as long as they are willing to sacrifice their own income, no one will help them. The moment they go under I am sure everyone will be whining "where are the opportunities for the disabled"? Ugh. So maddening. Do they have any volunteer grant writers? Would be something looking into if there's a good citizen or even social services college students nearby looking for experience....

[@Koshigaruma]

They have tried to be honest. They just need fudning from Central Government. There is a lot that Stoke on Trent City Council do that does not get mentioned to the public.

[@paulhanson6008]

What a great enterprise. The boss is a doing a great job trying to balance the need to make money and considers the welfare of his employees who are a good bunch of hard working lads. Good luck to you all, hope the govt. recognise the value gained at different levels and provide some deserved funding.

[@odysian]

My Opinion you know nothing about this place nor what happens in it

[@RobinBoardmanUK]

thank you for recognising that not everyone is a machine in this world- great job guys

[@jsd9273]

Starting there after I leave school, bill is a nice guy and I’m really excited to start, going for a test of sorts for two days to see how I do, I have a long history of taking apart devices myself due to me being autistic when I was younger, so this seems like the perfect thing in my opinion.

[@jozefbrodala5318]

What a beautiful story

[@jeffwalker4867]

Excellent work lads

[@bunntonalters9452]

massive respect i salute all of you

[@mainman2192]

Sincere best wishes to you all, I hope that you continue to survive. The world needs people like you. Respect.

[@doravarszegi]

If they had a website and facebook presence to encourage people to drop-off or send their computers would help. Or a collections deal with a currier. An electric car would also make a difference. There must be ways to keep this amazing initiative going!

[@odysian]

Dora Varszegi they don’t have a Facebook presence because of all the bad PR they have because of; sloppy work, poor customer service and how the boss treats their customers

[@aspieadam8939]

They do now Tom ;)

[@mozdickson]

keep on lads! cracking.

[@j.p.4910]

Excellent content, we need more businesses/non-profits that do this type work.

[@jeffkilledjohnny]

We had CRC out to collect our surplus computer equipment and office furniture. They were an absolute pleasure to deal with and very helpful. It was excellent knowing that the items would be recycled or resold instead of ending up in landfill!

[@patrickflanagan8008]

I now know where my old computers will be going.....thanks to your film.

[@seanarmstrong7059]

Don't bother as this place is full of liars and bullies send your old computer elsewhere believe me on this as I used to work here

[@user-kb1hg1of9y]

We still offer a free collection and recycling service for redundant computer equipment and are delighted that Staffordshire County Council now have us visiting their 14 recycling centres to collect donated electronic equipment. As other councils are - we are told - facing severe cutbacks and bankruptcy, we look forward to helping Stoke on Trent, Cheshire and other surrounding counties.

[@milels6917]

Bill and Scot well done like seeing your positive thinking

[@user-kb1hg1of9y]

We also run training programs for those with disabilities and/or mental health issues and some of those on the video have moved on to other employment or further education based on the skills and confidence that we helped to build up.

[@EOZxZOE]

this really awsome more people need to open building up and make buisneeses .. it amazing and i think .. they need to help homless and make factories open for people to get paid and work is needed its amazing that people trying thankyou ..

[@waynepower9558]

Well done what a good thing to do

[@michellecooper5063]

Where u based at cuz I got loads PCs n electric stuff ere xxx

[@speedfreak5616]

I know bill well, lovely bloke 👏

[@ramatgan1]

That people in that town don't have any money thats the problem.

[@Jam-gk3kv]

Did the blond/Ginger haired guy go to a school in Blyth bridge on a main road about 10 years ago ?

[@odysian]

Jam * yes he did. But he left to go to ainsley near the block flats

[@RB-yw9xv]

Hi I'm trying to remember the name of the orcshon at the pub on hi lane berslem I'm going back a feuu years

[@nicoletablondaxx-l9250]

Ups

[@robertball3301]

What is the point in a business that makes no money, there’s no business here just people making them selfs busy

[@fantasyproduct1042]

Aren't you a nice person?

[@robertball3301]

Fantasy product it has nothing to do with me being nice or not it’s not a viable business. It always amazes me that people think it is ok to do something that doesn’t pay the bills but they like doing it, earning money and paying your bills is not a hobby. Would I be a nice person if I said let’s subsidise every idiot to do something they like doing and let the others pay for it.

[@fantasyproduct1042]

@@robertball3301 well you're lucky that you don't have any mental challenges aren't u!

[@robertball3301]

Fantasy product it’s not the fact there mentally challenged, supermarkets employ people to collect trolleys and there business makes money. This business is not making money its a charity With a better business model run correctly they could make money and maybe reinvest to help others or make there life better !!!

[@seanarmstrong7059]

I agree with you Robert this place stank I worked here for five week and I can tell you that is was the worst place which I have ever worked at