Proper Job Resource Centre marks 30 years of sustainability and waste reduction

Proper Job Resource Centre, located in Chagford, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. 

The charity has been working to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and empower the local community since it was founded in 1993. 

Initially started as a community composting project, Proper Job became a registered co-operative in 1995 and later achieved charity status.

The charity has expanded over the years, offering a resource centre, a second-hand retail space known as the Uptown reuse boutique, repair and upcycling workshops, and educational events focused on sustainable living.

“Celebrating 30 years is not just about time passed,” says Alison Sallis, CEO of Proper Job. “It’s about recognising the passion and dedication that have made this project what it is. It’s a testament to the power of local action and shared values.”

Proper Job’s operations were supported by National Lottery funding, which enabled the purchase of its current site. 

Over the years, the charity has diverted tonnes of waste from landfill. 

The organisation has also created opportunities for volunteering and employment, helping individuals build skills and confidence.

“There should be no such thing as ‘Waste’ and no place called ‘Away’ to put it. We should have ‘Resources’ that can be endlessly recycled, reused, repaired, and upcycled. We should refuse to purchase anything that cannot be part of our circular economy. This vision shaped the early days of Proper Job, and we firmly believed that every community should embrace this concept and create their own ‘Proper Job’ site,” says Nicky Scott, Co-Founder of Proper Job.

In response to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Proper Job continues to offer affordable goods and sustainable living skills, helping to support community resilience in West Devon.

Looking to the future, Proper Job is planning to expand its impact by replicating its repair shop model in nearby towns and forming new regional partnerships. 

The charity is launching a fundraising campaign titled Give £30 for 30 Years to help support these efforts.

A series of events will be held throughout the year to mark the anniversary. These include a Community Celebration Day on June 14, a Digital Archive Project to collect memories from the past three decades, Proper Job Music Day on August 30, and a Community Fashion Show on November 14.

Proper Job invites all members of the community to take part in the celebrations and continue supporting its ongoing work in sustainability and community empowerment.