Community benefit agreement turns waste into welfare
The transport and waste management organisation Gogar Services is providing waterproof care packages for homeless veterans as part of Aberdeenshire Council’s contract and tendering process.
Gogar Services worked with the Knights Templar Goodwill Charity for Scotland to put together the packages that can contain items like a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, thermal socks, thermal hat, gloves, roll on deodorant, water, a foil blanket and more.
Referrals for access to the 365 care packages will be made be made through the charity and distributed from Live Life Aberdeenshire facilities, where people can also access warm showers and free Wi-Fi.
Gogar Services Business Representative Stuart Banks said: “We are extremely proud to be supporting and working with Knights Templar Goodwill Charity of Scotland and aim to assist as many people as possible who live in hardship, poverty or are currently homeless—this support also extends to supporting the Armed Forces Veterans who fall into this category.”
Chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee Councillor Alan Turner said: “This is an excellent choice by Gogar Services to ensure that the community benefit agreement in our contract together is used effectively and with compassion for those who are more vulnerable in our community.”
Aberdeenshire Council encourages sustainable community action through its contract and tendering processes, with bidders for contracts being asked how their organisation will assist the council in furthering its sustainability or community objectives.
Gogar Services holds the contract to transport Aberdeenshire’s non-recyclable waste to the NESS Energy from Waste facility in Altens and chose to support homeless veterans as part of its sustainability and community benefit agreement with the council.
Everything that is raised for the Knights Templar Goodwill Charity for Scotland goes towards support for veterans, the homeless, and those living in poverty.
Pictured from left to right are Gogar Services Business Representatives Graham MacDonald and Stuart Banks, Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Councillor Alan Turner, and Live Life Aberdeenshire Operations Service Manager Allan Rae.
Also pictured is an example of the waterproof care packages.
