New project provides work for job seekers, cracks down on plastic bags

Peel Connect will shortly launch a new program, in addition to their current work with Mandurah's homeless population, to combat single use plastic bags and give experience to work for the dole participants.

Peel Connect prides itself on bringing service providers together with those in need, and after recently obtaining corporation status the group are set to broaden horizons to involve more people in community projects.

'Sewing for the Homeless' is a new project from Peel Connect, which in collaboration with Employment Services Group, will get work for the dole participants into sewing boomerang bags.

The two groups partnered up to produce 'Boomerang Bags' with any sales from the bags going back into Peel Connect. 

Boomerang Bags are made by volunteer groups who want to tackle plastic waste, they're sewn using recycled materials to provide sustainable alternatives to plastic bags. 

Job seekers will be able to fulfil their mutual obligation requirements by taking part in the program, which was specifically designed for them.

Peel Connect Chairperson Doreen Jones said the corporation was committed to connecting people in the community, specifically those with troubles in the areas of mental health, drugs & alcohol and those experiencing homelessness. 

She said the new program will give job seekers the opportunity feel part of a group and boost their skills. 

"Personally the biggest component [of the project] is connection," she said. 

"It's being a part of a group, talking to people, having that socialisation and making friends, to me that's what makes the biggest difference in our lives.

"The thing that drives the issues with drugs and mental health, I believe is the breakdowns in our connections with others."

Peel Connect began its work in 2015 with night carers, a group of community members who would wander the streets on Mandurah during the night and provide help to the homeless.

Originally a call out was placed for people to sew bags for night carers to take care packs out on patrols, to carry basic items including blankets and toiletries.

"To start with the idea was people would be sewing the bags for care packs, bags are a really easy item to sew," Doreen said. 

"Our night carers take the packs out with them so people sleeping rough have access to basic items.

"Bridging the gap are doing such a great job at sewing these bags we actually don't need any more at the moment, we've got enough we're able to give some more to another agency which is excellent to be able to have that collaboration."

From here it became clear local group Bridging the Gap had sewing care packs covered, so Peel Connect raised the question what next?

After Employment Services Group reached out for the partnership Doreen said it became clear this would be a win-win-win situation, helping people to go plastic free, the environment and people working for the dole. 

"The idea came to me of boomerang bags because we are scheduled to go plastic free this year, so if we just start sewing and stock piling we will be able to encourage people to reduce the amount of plastic that they're using," she said.

"We're doing something for the environment as well as people in need."

Western Australia will ban single use plastic bags from July 1 this year. 

While the project is reserved for job seekers, other volunteers will be required to oversee operations when they begin in April.

Peel Connect put the call out online for experienced sewers who were patient and could spare a few days of their week to be supervisors.

Doreen said it would be a bonus if volunteers were social and up for a chat.

Employment Services Group will select a group of job seekers from their database and offer them positions in the program.

A price and distribution locations for the bags have not been determined, but retailers are urged to get in contact with Peel Connect if they would be open to stocking the bags. 

"We need people on board that say yes bring your boomerang bags to our business," Doreen said.

"I've loved the response from everybody, when I first contacted boomerang bags I had a response five minutes later to take up a project in Mandurah.

"This has been a wonderful collaboration and that really excites me."