The Advocate 25/08/2020
Wynyard-based ‘social enterprise’ plans to employ disadvantaged youth
An enterprising group based in Wynyard has set its sights on helping disadvantaged young people.
They have set up a business delivering organically grown veggies to customers by weekly subscription, and plan to plough the profits back into helping the district’s youth.
Spokesperson Robin Krabbe believed the ‘social enterprise’ under the Live Well banner, would work well.
“We want to get (the business) to the scale where we can employ youth who may not have a lot of employment options.”
A ‘social enterprise’ runs like a business, but instead of the profit going to the owner, it benefits a group in the community.
“It doesn’t preclude making a profit, but the aim is to help our youth gain employment.
“They’re in a difficult position locally and there is an issue for them financially.
“They are finding it difficult to get into housing, and particularly employment.
“It’s much more difficult for them to get a good start.
“Employers often won’t employ them because they haven’t got experience.
“Some of the less academic students may have learning difficulties, and that generally comes from a background of disadvantage through the generations.
“When you have learning difficulties it doubles or triples the difficulty of finding employment.”
Mrs Krabbe said the group had 68 hectares of land at Oldina, where members have started planting vegetables and fruit on a small block.
MAKE AUSTRALIA MAKE AGAIN
“Employing young people in our enterprise is one of the most important aims, but it’s all part of the picture of sustainability.
“So we’re encouraging local production; having a more self reliant community.
“Covid has shown the dangers of relying on products that might have to come from overseas. It’s much more effective to have local production.”
Mrs Krabbe said she absolutely supported the idea of making Australia make again. “Bring jobs and work back to Australia.”
Live Well is looking for volunteers to work on the farm.