C

 lacton PROJECT 
2000  
A nd
D istrict
O ccupational
W orkshop
S ociety

If you were disabled and unable to work at normal speed or some days you could not work at all you would most likely find it very difficult to find employment.  Clacton Occupational Workshop does, however, give these individuals the chance to work - but now their lease is about to expire and a new Workshop must be erected.
History
Clacton and District Occupational Workshop was founded in 1970 to provide and administer a Workshop for the benefit of persons resident in the Clacton-on-Sea area who were unable by reason of disability to obtain or maintain full-time regular employment.
The Workshop produces a wide range of products from wooden garden seats to small wooden toys, basketwork, soft toys, cushions and "outwork" for local factories.  All products are of a high standard, meet current regulations and are sold at a reasonable price.

 
Project 2000
The concept of Project 2000 is to build a new Workshop to replace the exiting one which has been operating since 1972.  The need for a new Workshop has come about because the Society's landlords have said that the Society's lease will not be renewed.
The Committee decided not to close the Workshop on the expiry of the lease and it was resolved to find another site,  Fortunately a prime site opposite the Waterglade Shopping Complex in the middle of town became available.  The land has been purchased with the aid of the Colchester Catalyst Trust with the balance from the Society's own funds.  Planning permission for the erection of the new Workshop incorporating a small retail shop, which we do not have a present, was obtained in February 1977.

 
The past and present
At the moment there are 35 disabled people on the books; the regular attendance is between 25 and 30 who, it is felt, will continue to attend the new Workshop.  It is planned to close the Workshop for as short a time as possible while the equipment is being transferred.  The Workshop is increasingly dependent on sales of its own goods as grants from Local Authorities have been significantly reduced in the past few years and it is thought that a move to the Town Centre will help achieve this aim.
No fund raising took place until planning permission was received and the purchase of the land was completed.  To date we have raised over £15,000 locally.  It must be appreciated  that this project is too big to rely on funds being raised in the locality alone, although support of the local people and an awareness of the project throughout Clacton-on-Sea is essential.  Application has been made to the Lottery Board again and other grant-giving authorities.  The possibility of grants from the European Social Fund is also being looked into.
The Society's track record speaks for itself.  The Workshop has been open continuously since 1972 when some 8 disabled persons attended and has grown visibly to the present number.  To date we have relied on funds raised locally and over the years we have extended the Workshop by the addition of a woodworking bay and dust extraction unit.  We provide transport to and from the Workshop, owning our own Minibus.

An artist's impression of the proposed new Clacton and District Occupational 
Workshop which will be situated on the site in Old Road opposite the
Waterglade Shopping Complex







To summarise Project 2000
  1. The Society is a Charity which has operated a Workshop for the disabled in Clacton-on-Sea for more than 25 years.
  2. The Society is being required to move from its present site when its lease expires
  3. It has purchased, with the assistance of a loan, a new site in Clacton-on-Sea Town Centre and planning permission has been obtained for the erection of  a Workshop and retail shop.
  4. Building work has commenced but more funds will be required to complete the project.
  5. The Workshop needs to be "up and running" with a minimum of disruption for the disabled who attend.
All donations will be acknowledged and an Honours Board will be displayed at the new Workshop recording our grateful thanks to the Companies/Clubs/Organisations who are generously supporting Project 2000.
All correspondence and enquiries to:
The existing Workshop at 108a Holland Road, Clacton-on-Sea (behind Rickitt's House)
Telephone: (01255) 424690

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