Dennis Humble

Dennis Humble has positively changed how a community in England feels about and interacts with disadvantaged groups, whilst improving the way disadvantaged groups feel about themselves. He successfully leads and organises a local community recycling group, EnviroAbility. Dennis has not only provided opportunities that highlight abilities (rather than disabilities), but has organised this whilst developing a sustainable approach to environmentally valuable projects.

A resource manager based at the Ryefield Centre, Dennis is also the founder and general manager of EnviroAbility. This project provides activities in the local community for those with learning disabilities and other disadvantaged groups. EnviroAbility successfully challenges society's negative perceptions about them. As people with disabilities realise that they don't need isolated day Centres, this has allowed other community groups to share the Ryefield Centre. It is now open 7 days a week and accommodates over 50 different user groups. This is integration at its best, with groups varying from ante-natal classes through to clubs for the elderly, spanning all abilities.

The recycling project started with paper collections from homes of the elderly and expanded to cover more than 4,500 homes by 2003. EnviroAbility members helped to recycle more than 1,000 tonnes of household rubbish last year including paper, glass, plastic, textiles, aluminium and household nappies. Other general projects facilitated by EnviroAbility include a book swap shop, cotton nappy laundry and sales service, a tool recycling service which sends unwanted tools to Africa, an aluminium collection service, a crafts workshop and a mobile phone recycling service.

Since April 2005, EnviroAbility has partnered with WCR Ltd, a local recycling company, to initiate the Re-Box project. The Re-Box collection involves giving a blue box and basket to householders to separate their glass, textiles, cans and paper. Due to its success, Re-Box has now been expanded to offer a kerbside service to rural villages, expanding the project to 3,000 extra households. With more plans afoot, it looks like these initiatives will divert 2000 tonnes from landfill this year.

EnviroAbility projects always include people with learning disabilities. At least 45 individuals now have respected jobs within the organisation and 9 hold contracts of employment. Dennis has given these individuals the chance to be recognised as valued members of the community.

"Dennis prefers to look at peoples' abilities rather than their disabilities."

Nik Spencer, Managing Director, WCR Ltd

"Dennis is a modest family man who has made a phenomenal difference to the lives of numerous individuals and a big difference to the community in which he lives."

Anthony Lowther

>back