December 2010

(14) Artisitic pupils get creative with World-class Designs

A group of talented artists from a Blackburn high school have won a top-class prize to have their Christmas designs seen worldwide and by top design industry professionals. The annual Community and Business Partners Corporate Christmas card competition was run this year with the help of Years 7, 8 & 9 pupils from Blakewater College, Shadsworth Rd. The competition was a joint venture between local companies SAMs (Scrap Art Material Store) and Europrint who judged and printed the winning designs as cards.

The winning designs will be posted to local and national clients and contacts as far and wide as Europe and America. The cards will feature the pupils’ name, age and year group. Ged Brotherton from Europrint said; “This competition is something we have been doing for a number of years and it’s always a joy to be involved. However this year it was particularly rewarding to see the effects that it had on the children.” Joanne Mason, a project manager at SAMs, said: “The competition was of such a high standard that it was difficult to decide between the designs. The standard that we saw was outstanding and the pupils should be very proud. “We settled on four as we simply couldn’t choose one.”

Community and Business Partners provides much needed support to businesses across East Lancashire though projects such as SAMS, Guardian Angels, ECI, Employers Forum and Job Ticker.
The winners were Kyle Grimshaw, age 14 year 9
Hussain Iqbal, age 12, year 7
Wyncella Lieng, age 13, year 9

October 2010

(13) Charity treasure trove wins big

Remember watching Blue Peter presenters making toys, name signs and pen holders from cardboard boxes, two pieces of string, bottle tops, pots and paint? Remember thinking how much fun it looked? Well, a scrap store in Blackburn has won a prestigious environmental award and £1000 from award sponsor JWS Churngold Limited for its successful community arts project, which offers so much more…
Blackburn Social Enterprise SAMS (Scrap Art Material Store) has recently been hailed as the Best Community Enterprise at the Red Rose Resource Awards 2010 ceremony, sponsored by Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council.

Environmental arts project SAMS source and collect surplus materials, otherwise destined for landfill, from private companies and display them at their ‘warehouse of wonders’ at the Energy Zone in Blackburn. This year alone they have diverted over £1.4m of materials from landfill.
The collected materials are offered to individuals, schools, nurseries, and other community groups to use.
The main focus of SAMS’ activities is to remove barriers for disadvantaged people. Their ethos is to provide a warm, inclusive, friendly, inspirational environment for all, regardless of race, ability, age or skill, to reduce disadvantage and exclusion within the community, raise awareness and stop valuable resources being landfilled.

SAMS is much more than a scrap store – the project encourages people to use craft as a medium for learning, confidence building, skills development, dexterity, fun, team work and enterprise.
On receiving the award, Jan Calderbank Operations Director of SAMS @ Energy Zone said: “The Team are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award. Our business success relies on our dedicated staff, volunteers, and the support of the public and private sector. This award raises our profile in Lancashire and the wider area and gives us huge satisfaction to receive such recognition!”
The Red Rose Resource Awards is an annual awards ceremony was organised by the Lancashire Community Recycling Network. Lancashire CRN Coordinator Dawn Welham said: “Just because someone has finished with something does not mean it is waste - SAMS is a great example of the social and environmental benefits of recycling and reuse. This was a closely contended award so huge congratulations to the team at SAMS for their hard work and dedication!”

In presenting the award and their £1000 prize, JWS Churngold Limited General Manager Michael Keane said: “This project demonstrates not only creativity of thought but also taps into the next generation. It also promotes the image of having fun with recycling which is an important aspect of enhancing the reputation of the waste industry.”

If you would like to know more about SAMS and their work, please contact Joanne Mason on 01254 291 271 or visit www.cbpartners.org/community-projects.html <http://www.cbpartners.org/community-projects.html>
More information will be made available on the Lancashire CRN website www.lancashirecrn.org <http://www.lancashirecrn.org> or by calling Dawn Welham on 01772 642885.

The Red Rose Resource Awards is an annual awards ceremony funded by Lancashire and Blackpool Councils and organised by the Lancashire Community Recycling Network. The Red Rose Resource Awards support the wider goals of the Waste Management Strategy for Lancashire (Rubbish to Resources <http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/lmwlp/waste/intro.asp> ) by promoting the diversion of waste from landfill and increasing public awareness on waste issues.

August 2010

(12) SAMS stages special open day

ONE of Blackburn’s most popular social enterprise initiatives is staging an Open Day this Friday (August 20th). SAMS (Scrap Art Material Store) brings together public and private organisations with the aim of encouraging recycling within the local business community. Over the last six years, SAMS has supplied scrap art materials to hundreds of organisations, including schools, colleges and community groups.
Since it was established, the scheme has also successfully completed over 200 community challenges and supported over 40 local charities, providing much needed equipment, gifts and clothing, and has offered volunteer placements to the long-term unemployed.

Due to an increase in the demand for its services, SAMS moved to brand new purpose-built premises at the Energy Zone on Newfield Drive in Blackburn earlier this summer. And this Friday, they are inviting all of their existing suppliers – and any potential new ones – to come and see for themselves the type of good works they do during a special open day.

Joanne Mason, Project Manager at SAMS, said: “This is a chance for our many supporters and partners to come and see our new facilities and learn a little bit more about exactly what we do.”

SAMS is a not-for-profit social enterprise, run by Community and Business Partners, and is open to all types of groups, with membership fees ranging from £10 for students up to £30 a year for a non-voluntary organisation or school. Members then pay just £15 for each full trolley load of materials.
SAMS will be welcoming visitors between 10 and 11am and 1pm and 2pm on Friday.
If you are interested in finding out more, contact SAMS on 01254 291271.

Jan 2010

(11) Creative quartet deliver design success

A group of budding artists from a Darwen Primary School went to the top of the class after they won a competition to design a corporate Christmas card. The Year 5 and 6 pupils, from St Edward’s Roman Catholic Primary, were tasked with designing images for a selection of cards sent out by Community and Business Partners.

Blackburn company Europrint, who sponsored all of the printing, then selected four winning designs from the children’s work, which were then made up into cards. Each of the four winners received a framed copy of their design and a voucher from Europrint. Europrint also donated some of the cards to the school, which were then sold to parents to help raise funds.

Community and Business Partners is based in the Blackburn Enterprise Centre and provides much needed support to businesses across East Lancashire through projects like Guardian Angels, SAMS, ECI, Employers Forums and Job Ticker. Picture caption: Louie Staffa (10), Alethea Hannan (9), Joshua Rothery (10) and Declan Heighway (10) show off their winning designs

Nov 2009

(10) It’s a wrap – SAMS’ service for shoppers

As Christmas quickly approaches so does the dreaded task of buying and wrapping gifts for your nearest and dearest. Thanks to SAMS – Scrap Art Material Store — you can pass over the presents and have them beautifully wrapped for you. SAMS will be at The Mall on Monday 14 December 10am - 6pm, Tuesday 15 December 10am - 6pm, Wednesday 16 December 12.30pm - 8.30pm, Thursday 17 December 12.30pm - 8pm and Friday 19 December 10am - 6pm, next to the 'Ask Me Point' where they will have a gang of volunteers offering a creative gift wrapping service.

Joanne Mason, Manager at SAMS, said: “We will be offering unique gift wrapping service using donated gift wrap from Robert William Embossers in Blackburn and Ribbons donated by Rosettes Direct of Oswaldtwistle. “We are aiming to provide an affordable service to the community using materials originally destined for landfill.”

A handful of volunteers who offer their time at SAMS on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when the store is open to the public will be assisting with the wrapping Monday - Friday.

SAMS, based on Ordnance Street, Blackburn is a not for profit organisation which takes industry waste such as off cuts and scraps and offers them for reuse in craft and play in schools, nurseries and community groups for all ages. The unique store holds hundreds of unusual craft making materials reclaimed from local organisations.

June 2009

(9) Green Enterprise Centre welcomed as 'Visionary'

Amanda Meachin chief executive of Community and Business Partners (CBP) has welcomed the refurbishment and extension of Blackburn’s Roman Road Community Centre as an exciting and visionary venture. The centre is being transformed to create a ‘green’ enterprise centre which will accommodate up to ten social enterprises and at its core will provide a home for CBP’s pioneering recycling initiative SAMS (Scrap Art Material Store). A variety of other green social enterprises are planning to use the updated facility providing a range of activities, including arts and crafts, horticulture, volunteering opportunities and training.

“It’s an incredibly exciting vision and it is wonderful news for SAMS and for the community. It underlines the progress SAMS has made in the four years since it was launched as a community enterprise and will safeguard its future for many years to come. “Thanks to dedication and hard work of Joanne Mason, Jan Calderbank, Frank Holden and their army of volunteers, SAMS has evolved into a hugely successful scheme with craft classes and almost 1,000 members from a range of schools, community groups and children’s groups. But that success came at a price — it had outgrown its current home. “It makes sense that SAMS is flagship for the new centre because the footfall its membership creates will help the other new social enterprises flourish.

“This whole initiative has come about because of the support of people like Sir Bill Taylor and Jack Straw MP who have seen at close quarters how valuable an asset SAMS is to the area.” The work has been made possible following the award of a £966,000 Community Assets Government grant. Blackburn with Darwen Council will carry out the work and the centre will then be transferred on a 30-year peppercorn lease to CBP for use by the local community. SAMS collects recyclable business waste for use in art and craft activity to benefit community learning. Roman Road Community Centre in Blackburn is just one of dozens of projects across the country to receive a Community Assets grant, funded by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office and delivered by BIG Fund, the non-Lottery funding operation of the Big Lottery Fund.

May 2009

(8) Business Solutions Event

Feeling the credit crunch and want to bite back? Local businesses can get free specialist advice and attend free workshops at a “No Limits” Business Solutions Event set to take place on 10th June 2009 at the Blackburn Enterprise Centre, Furthergate, Blackburn from 11am – 7.30pm. This is a joint event organised by Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn Borough Councils.

Workshops on Workforce Development Assistance (financial), Tendering for Public Sector Contracts are available – we advise pre-booking these workshops to avoid disappointment. If you wish to attend and take advantage of these workshops, please register by contacting the No Limits Hotline on 0800 612 2029. Need finance to fund capital investment or help to grow your business? We can offer advice and guidance every step of the way; from grants to finance solutions, from technology support to product development, from business mentoring to networking opportunities.

Advisory organisations including Business Link Northwest, The Manufacturing Institute, CXL, Enterprise Agencies, Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire, Community & Business Partnerships and the No Limits Programme will be on hand to help your business keep moving in the right direction. No Limits is a government funded initiative aimed at businesses within Hyndburn, Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle.

Click here to download a PDF of the advert »

Press Release November 2007

(7) SAMS wins BEA award

An organisation which recycles tonnes of waste from businesses by supplying it to community groups for craft activities has won a prestigious environmental business award. Blackburn’s Scrap Art Material Store won the Business in the Community category in this year’s Lancashire Business Environment Association Awards.

Project manager Joanne Mason said she was delighted that all the hard work that goes into running SAMS, which is a not-for-profit community enterprise, has been rewarded. She said: “We are honoured to have won this award which is in recognition of our contribution to environmental improvements.

“We are all aware of the urgent need to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and this is a great way of doing just that, while also providing a valuable service to the community. “I hope this award encourages other businesses to come forward to support us and help protect the environment.”

Over the two years since it was established, SAMS, which is part of Blackburn’s Community and Business Partners, has collected and recycled £500,000 of waste materials destined for landfill, donated by more than 80 private sector companies. These clean and non-toxic materials are sorted and put on display so they can be supplied to SAMS members, who are schools, nurseries, play groups, pensioners’ groups and other community organisations.

SAMS, which is at Apollo House, Ordnance Street, has been a great success with groups coming from as far a field as Cumbria and Fleetwood to collect materials for craft activities. And it is a win-win situation as businesses improve their green credentials and SAMS also provides work placements for volunteers from Social Services, Supported Employment Services, the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and The Princes Trust. Craft classes are also arranged at SAMS every week for the elderly, disabled, lone parents and the unemployed using the donated materials.

Joanne added: “We could not have come this far if it was not for the many businesses who have seen the advantages of SAMS and have got involved by donating. I would also like to thank all our members who have supported and given the businesses a reason to recycle. SAMS is a fantastic scheme which benefits everybody.” The Lancashire BEA Awards were established as the event for environmentally conscious businesses across Lancashire and this year’s annual dinner and awards evening was held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors.

Press Release August 2007

(5) Rob makes the right call to his Guardian

A fast expanding telecoms company is moving into new premises after placing a call into its Guardian Angel for advice. Rob Scott established Denwa just over 12 months ago but already he has a four-strong team and is currently seeking new sales employees. Rob and the Denwa team have just moved into the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre in Burnley. Says Rob: "The move to the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre in Burnley is a great step forward for the business, as the centre is specifically designed to house technology businesses and it means that we now have room for expansion and can open up new job opportunities."

Denwa offer integrated telecom solutions from some of the worlds leading manufacturers such as Inter-tel and Avaya, including the latest in voice over IP phone systems, digital phone systems and mobile phone contracts for businesses. Before setting up the business, Rob worked in the industry and his career took him as far as Tokyo, Japan. It was a move which provided the inspiration for the company name, as Denwa is Japanese for telephone. Rob originally operated from Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson, but a growing client base has led to this move."Unlike some rival telecoms businesses, Denwa specialise in converged solutions, therefore we work alongside many of our client’s I.T suppliers to achieve highly efficient and cost effective ways of working,” he says.

"I wanted to take the business to the next level, which is where the Guardian Angels Entrepreneurs Network came into the equation. They linked me up with a mentor, David Roberts, who has been able to bring things back into focus and has implemented a clear sales and marketing strategy."Having a mentor like David to discuss things with has been invaluable. He brings an enormous amount of knowledge to the table and then allows you to concentrate on the business at hand." The Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network is run by Community and Business Partners and operates across Pennine Lancashire. It is a free support network, which allows businesses with growth potential to benefit from free advice and guidance from their more experienced mentors. Adds Rob: "My advice to anyone thinking of getting some help from the Guardian Angel Entrepreneurs Network is, do it! So much can be gained from having someone there who can answer questions from their own experience."

Jane Houghton-Fenning, Business Development Manager for Community and Business Partners, says: "We have increasing numbers of entrepreneurs like Rob asking for our help. We are also currently looking for new Guardians who know the pitfalls because of their previous business knowledge and would be willing to pass on their words of wisdom on a voluntary basis."

Anyone interested in offering their services or simply wanting more details on how to get involved in the scheme can contact Jane by e-mail: jane@cbpartners.org <mailto:jane@cbpartners.org> or ring her on 01254 699910.

Press Release August 2007

(4) Steve Broomhead (CEO of NWDA) visits SAMS

Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Steven Broomhead has helped Blackburn-based SAMS celebrate its third birthday. SAMS (Scrap Art Material Store), which takes commercial waste, like off-cuts and scraps, and recycles it for craft use by its members, was set up in 2004 as a not-for-profit, Social enterprise. During that time it has thrived and members have increased year on year, while visitors numbers have been swelled following the introduction of craft classes — including greetings card making and quilt making.

Mr Broomhead was the organisation’s special guest at an anniversary celebration that included volunteers, members and staff. Joanne Mason, Manager of SAMS, says: “We were delighted that Steven could come along and help us celebrate our three years. He is well known for championing social enterprise businesses like SAMS, so we couldn’t think of a better guest of honour.

“SAMS has come an awful long way since we launched. People come to the store from all over the North West — in fact, we even have people coming from as far away as the Scottish borders to source their craft materials. “We have also had wonderful support from a number of businesses in the area who supply us with their seconds and off-cuts that we can pass on to our members.”

Based in Apollo House on Ordnance Street in Blackburn, the store takes in waste material donated from Lancashire’s business community – from curtains to cotton and from ribbon to rayon. The scrap is then recycled with everyone from artists to schools, community and volunteer groups being able to pick up trolley loads of much-needed materials for a fraction of what it would normally cost. Adds Joanne: “We have everything from unwanted off-cuts of material, through to paper, wood and paint brushes. It’s a real treasure chest of goodies and it is a really useful resource for anybody who is into crafting.”

SAMS, a not-for-profit organisation, is part funded by the ERDF and relies on members – as well as volunteers — for survival. It is open to all types of groups, with membership fees ranging from £10 for students up to £30 a year for a non-voluntary organisation or school. Members then pay a nominal donation for each full trolley load of materials. SAMS is run by Community and Business Partners Ltd, formerly the Blackburn Partnership. To find out more, contact Joanne on 01254 668694.

Press Release September 2006

(3) Jack Straw visits to celebrate SAMS birthday

Blackburn MP, Jack Straw welcomed PA Debbie Hall to SAMS (Scrap Arts Material Store) as she swapped her life of admin at Herbert Parkinson for an arts and crafts role at the Blackburn based store. SAMS is a not-for-profit organisation which takes industry waste such as offcuts and scraps, and recycles them to be used in craft and play in schools, nurseries and community groups of all ages.

And for two days a week, instead of managing Herbert Parkinson’s steering group administration, Debbie will be working at SAMS for the next four months, getting right to the ‘art’ of community creativity. Debbie came across SAMS when her company was involved in another community initiative, the School Friends Project.

Being an arty person herself, Debbie was inspired and decided to get involved in SAMS. “Because Herbert Parkinson is part of the John Lewis Partnership, I was able to apply for an award through John Lewis’ Golden Jubilee Trust which funds partners to do something worthwhile for a local charity,” she explains.

 “It means my employer can carry on paying me as normal and still get someone in to cover the days when I’m not there.” Now Debbie and SAMS manager Joanne Mason hope to get a whole host of SAMS’ initiatives off the ground — and they’re both very excited about the prospect. Debbie explains: “We’re buzzing with ideas. For instance we have just opened SAMS to the general public with a range of courses including a patchwork quilt workshop.”

“By opening the courses and community projects at SAMS which will not just be great fun for the people who take part, but really give people extra skills too.” Joanne, who has managed SAMS single-handedly since it opened, agrees: “It’s going to be brilliant having someone to help because, until now, it’s been impossible to do everything I want to do.” “With Debbie’s help, I know SAMS is going to be an even bigger asset to the community.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about SAMS should visit the website www.samsblackburn.co.uk or call 01254 505055.

Press Release August 2006

(2) Debbie puts her 'art' into SAMS

PA Debbie Hall is about to swap her life of admin at Herbert Parkinson for an arts and crafts role with the Scrap Art Material Store (SAMS) in Blackburn.

SAMS is a not-for-profit organisation which takes industry waste such as offcuts and scraps, and recycles them to be used in craft and play in schools, nurseries and community groups of all ages.
And for two days a week, instead of managing Herbert Parkinson’s steering group administration, Debbie will be working at SAMS for the next four months, getting right to the ‘art’ of community creativity.

Debbie came across SAMS when her company was involved in another community initiative, the School Friends Project.
Being an arty person herself, Debbie was inspired and decided to get involved in SAMS. “Because Herbert Parkinson is part of the John Lewis Partnership, I was able to apply for an award through John Lewis’ Golden Jubilee Trust which funds partners to do something worthwhile for a local charity,” she explains. “It means my employer can carry on paying me as normal and still get someone in to cover the days when I’m not there.”

Now Debbie and SAMS manager Joanne Mason hope to get a whole host of SAMS’ initiatives off the ground — and they’re both very excited about the prospect. Debbie explains: “Joanne and I have plans for courses and community projects at SAMS which will not just be great fun for the people who take part, but really give people extra skills too. “We’re buzzing with ideas. For instance we’re hoping to set up a patchwork quilt workshop, maybe mother and child craft sessions — and activities involving the Asian community. It would be fantastic to get some cross cultural craft going on.”

Joanne, who has managed SAMS single-handedly since it opened, agrees: “It’s going to be brilliant having someone to help because, until now, it’s been impossible to do everything I want to do.
“With Debbie’s help, I know SAMS is going to be an even bigger asset to the community.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about SAMS should visit the website www.samsblackburn.co.uk or call 01254 505055.

Press Release February 2006

(1) Play it again SAMS

The Scrap Art Material Store has to be one of East Lancashire’s hidden gems. Based in Apollo House on Ordnance Street in Blackburn, the store, known as SAMS, takes in waste material donated from Lancashire’s business community – from curtains to cotton and from ribbon to rayon.

The scrap is then recycled with everyone from artists to schools, community and volunteer groups able to pick up trolley loads of much-needed material for a fraction of what it would normally cost.

SAMS manager, Joanne Mason, explains: “We have everything from unwanted off-cuts of material, through to paper, wood and paint brushes. It’s a real Aladdin’s Cave of goodies.

“For our members, SAMS offers a really cost-effective way to stock up on material that would otherwise cost a small fortune. SAMS is also good news for the environment, because we reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.” The biggest problem is trying to spread the word.

“We are a not-for-profit organisation and rely on our members – as well as a small army of volunteers — for our very survival. Once people find out about us and what we are doing here, they are impressed, but we don’t have a huge marketing budget and it isn’t always easy getting the message across. We are constantly looking for new members and for new businesses to supply their unwanted material.” Abdul Salek from Youth on Unity a voluntary group which works with the youth in the Stoneyholme and Daneshouse areas of Burnley is a big fan of the SAMS initiative.

“We work with young people in the local communities on a wide variety of things — drama, music, cookery, arts. Our aim is to try to bring people together,” says Abdul. “Obviously being a voluntary group we don’t have thousands of pounds to throw around that’s why a place like SAMS is so useful. SAMS is a fantastic resource for a project like ours. We can get all sorts and everything there and we can put so much to use in a variety of ways. “We tell everyone we can about it. It is great for groups like us but I’m sure almost anyone would be able to find something useful there. As a group we are committed to recycling as much as possible and that’s another good reason for using SAMS.”

The store also features a Diamond industrial sewing machine worth around £400, which was kindly lent by Hobkirks, the North West’s leading sewing machine specialist.

“Some of the fabric we receive is in substantial pieces, so there’s great potential for creating things, especially now that we have a sewing machine. It also means we can let people come and use the machine if they haven’t got access to one themselves; we can make items ourselves using materials from the store to show people what can be done. SAMS is open to all types of groups, with membership fees ranging from £10 for individuals up to £30 a year for a non-voluntary organisation or school. Members then pay just £10 for each full trolley load of materials. If you are interested in finding out more about SAMS contact Joanne on 01254 505055.