"We want our work to have a positive impact long into the future, not just for now. Our work should not cause harm now or in the future." (World Commission on Environment and Development) . 

Sustainability is one of our bemix Wider Values - Our way of working should support the long-term well-being of society, the economy and the environment. To ensure that these values are upheld and prioritised within our work, Leila Ayoub and Melanie Jordan are our organisation Eco Leads.

As part of the role Leila and Melanie work on how to minimise our impact on the environment. They work together with the rest of the bemix workforce to encourage and promote eco-friendly and sustainable ways of working. 

They recently co-produced an Easy Read policy which is available to everyone. It explains the values and ethics of bemix, because we care about the planet and all that lives on it, people, animals and the delicate ecosystem. 

Leila and Melanie visit bemix project sites to offer advice and share small informative presentations about the Earth and its ecosystem. They regularly share positive eco-friendly tips, advice and ideas, via a Facebook group for people in bemix and bemix workforce members.

Leila has been involved in bemix projects in Dover for many years. This means she knows how we work and what matters to people with a learning difficulty. She also brings a real passion to care for people and the planet. Take a look at her radio show ‘Plastic in our oceans’.

When asked about what attracted Leila to the role, she said “the reason I chose this job for bemix is I am really very passionate about the environment and nature. Lou gave me the job because she knew I was the right person to be the Job Lead in bemix”. Leila also talked about her intentions for the role: “I will be asking the supporters if they are recycling, buying eco products and buying Fair Trade food and making sure that no products are tested on animals.” 

 

Leila Ayoub, bemix Eco Co-Lead

 

Melanie has worked in bemix since 2023 as a Discovery Catering Project Supporter. Melanie took on the role of Eco Co-Lead as she was keen to learn more about working sustainably, reducing environmental impact, and continuing the work of the bemix Eco Leads. Melanie is an artist and is keen to bring her creativity to the role. You can see the wonderful welcome banner, created by Melanie and project members in our Discovery Catering group project, if you visit our pop-up café at The Westgate Hall in Canterbury. Melanie said, "Co-working alongside Leila is an exciting new venture for me, and I am looking forward to making a great new Eco Team".

 

 

At bemix, co-production is at the heart of our organisation. It means that people with and without a learning difficulty and/or autism, work together equally and share the power to make the decisions within our work. This specific work - to make sure we value the environment in all we do - is co-led by a person with and without a learning difficulty, for the first time. Sustainability is important to all of us and so we are always excited to see what steps we can take to become more environmentally friendly, as guided by Leila and Melanie.

 

Melanie Jordan and Leila Ayoub, bemix Eco Co-Leads

 

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Are you passionate about global issues and sustainability? 

Read about our project ‘Rubbish In Our Oceans’

Read about how we make items to sell from reclaimed wood, in our Eco Shed project

Read about how we learn to cook vegan and vegetarian dishes to sell at our regular Pop Up Café, in our Discovery Catering project