Job available

Cymorth Compost Aid is seeking a new Co-ordinator to start as soon as possible after 29 February 2008. Download the job description, person specification and application form (MS Word DOC).
Download the job description, person specification and application form (PDF).

This job is a fantastic opportunity to develop a successful environmental and social project which undertakes the important work of reducing household waste that is sent to landfill sites every year. You will work in partnership with various organisations, groups and local authorities to carry out the work of Compost Aid and there will be plenty of opportunity to lead the project in new directions.

Details of the Cymorth Compost Aid Project

The Cymorth Compost Aid Partnership was formed to provide home composting practical advice to Gwynedd residents, by:

1) employing a part time home composting co-ordinator
2) recruiting volunteers to promote and provide advice on home composting
3) providing the volunteers with home composting training
4) encouraging take up and proper use of Gwynedd free composting bins
5) collating best practice advice, to be used as a bi-lingual resource pack for the volunteers
6) making links with other environmental organisations and activities e.g. wildlife gardening, allotment schemes, waste minimising, community composting etc.

The 5 community organisations in the partnership are all involved with different environmental activities throughout Gwynedd.

Project status on 19 February 2008

Cymorth Compost Aid is in transition. The start-up funding comes to an end on 31 March 2008. Deio, Jones, our Compost Aid Co-ordinator is currently working part-time for the project and changes to full-time on another post on 1 March 2008. So far, the project has achieved the following:

• Seven Training Courses held: three at Moelyci, three at Gwaith Powdwr Penrhyndeudraeth, and one at Ty Hyll Capel Curig.
• 52 volunteers have received training.
• 20 volunteers were confirmed as active.
• 28 potential trainees are on the waiting list.
• Volunteers have raised awareness amongst work colleagues, family and friends, and have show interest in holding community events and projects.
• Over 100 compost bins have been distributed to date.
• The project is moving from a model of only delivering training to supporting volunteers to hold various activities for raising awareness and recruiting volunteers.
• A total of 16 home composting promotion events, including the training courses, were held from 9 June to 9 December 2007.

Funding Sources

                  Caergylchu Community Fund

The partnership was allocated funding from the Caergylchu Community Fund in March 2007 for the period 1 April to 31 December 2007. That Fund is managed by Mantell Gwynedd, the voluntary services council for the county based in Caernarfon. The source of Caergylchu Community Fund is a grant from the European Social Fund.

Apart from the post of Compost Aid Co-ordinator and office costs, the funding package covers staff training, steering group meetings, volunteers expenses, information and promotional materials, kitchen compost caddies and setting up two home composting demonstration sites. Gwynedd Council will provide free compost bins. The partnership is applying for funding for the year 2008/9.