I’m sure, like me, you have never even thought about the stories behind the second hand books you buy off sites like Amazon – how they got there, who sorted them, cleaned them and packaged them up?
Yesterday I spent some time at Bookdonors, a social enterprise in Selkirk, Scotland and found out the answers to all those questions. It was a fascinating visit to an organisation which is transforming the lives of the people who work there and doing its bit to improve reading skills and help the environment.
Here’s how it works: Bookdonors buy used books from charities and libraries across the UK (thereby helping those organisations to raise funds – over £200,000 so far), the books are delivered to their warehouses where they are sorted and catalogued ready for us to buy off the internet.
They have over 150,000 books at any one time. Once a book is bought it is cleaned, checked and posted. The books that don’t make the grade are given away to families or schools in the UK and Africa or sent off to be recycled, nothing goes into landfill. It’s a really simple idea and here’s the best bit, 80% of the 54 people who currently work or volunteer at Bookdonors have never had a job or have been out of work for a long time and 30% of the team have a wide range of disabilities or medical conditions.
What makes it even more amazing is that Bookdonors doesn’t employ specialist carers to look after people with disabilities, instead they all support one another as a team, everyone is treated equally and as a result the business is thriving.
Rona set it up five years ago with her partner Lawrie. She spoke frankly about her recurring depression and how she and Lawrie started Bookdonors in their attic in order to create jobs for people who wanted to work but couldn’t.
Everyone I met there told me that Bookdonors had given them the chance to turn their life around. Like Stephen, a young man who was the first employee 4 years ago, who told me he never thought he would have an interesting job that he loved - he is a section leader and clearly gets a lot out of working with his team, some of whom have conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia.
I also chatted to Ian who had been out of a job for 5 years and was at rock bottom. He now runs the warehouse and is busy putting his life back together.
Bookdonors is such a brilliant concept, it is succeeding in a financial, social and environmental way, a great example of how not-for-profit social enterprises can help build the Big Society. It has also made me totally re-think how and where I buy books….
To find out more or buy a used book visit http://www.book-donors.co.uk/
Comment by Guy M on April 28, 2010 at 4:11 pm
While maybe some of us are no wild about the whole “family of politician” getting involved thing, I would like to say that I think this is a really credible contribution, bringing attention to a very interesting contribution to our Society. Thanks.
Comment by Emma Baker on April 28, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Emmaus in Cambridge does similar excellent work; previously homeless people work to restore second-hand furniture which is then sold on. We need to offer people more options (with more practical skills) than selling the Big Issue…
Comment by Mark Wollacott on April 28, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Thank you for sharing. I did indeed wonder about those second hand books. My small town does not really have such a company but i do use Amazon quite a lot.
As an unemployed person who does believe in the Big Society it’s great to see examples how it works. Despite it being largely ignored in the media i truly hope it works.
Comment by James Waugh on April 28, 2010 at 11:46 pm
David you have got to win this election you cannot let Brown screw this country any more.
GOOD LUCK
Comment by Angela Edmonds on April 29, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Hi, just felt I had to try to get a comment to David in the most direct way possible & that is probably through you Samantha! I have watched this campaign unfold with interest. I supported the conservatives through the dark ‘grey suits’ times so obviously am thrilled to see a vibrant new Conservative party. My job specialises in communications & I felt I just had to say this – whilst Gordon is on the ropes, be straight tonight during the political debate on the subject of immigration. Give a number that you will cap on. There is a feeling amongst my fellow Tory supporters that even though you are the right man to lead the party people want to see straight talking REAL passion. Too much pc careful wording is not what this country wants right now. The only reason Nick Clegg provoked such a response in the 1st debate was because 1. he had nothing to lose in terms of raising profile & 2. he wasn’t completely polished & spoke simply. I think if you were to change your style slightly for tonight’s crucial debate you will reap the rewards. I wouldn’t bother with a personal attack on Gordon; the media have done that for us today but be straight talking on immigration. If there is a true reason to become a refugee from a person’s own country then compassion & morality demands we take people in who are being persecuted but that is not the case with many thousands of freeloaders currently residing in this great country. Be plain, be passionate & be proud tonight! Good luck!
Comment by Alison Parsons on April 30, 2010 at 10:22 am
As a great reader as well as believer in enterprise it’s great to see the two come together. These kind of stories aren’t highlighted enough – having a great idea and making it work doesn’t necessarily have to be about having loads of money it’s about having the courage to have a go and involving like minded people. The simple ideas are sometimes the best. Those who want to work & aim high to achieve their goals whilst helping others will always feel the most satisfied.