We’re raising money to install solar panels on around 20 community buildings in Bristol including SOFA Project, Old Market.
​ 
We caught up with SOFA Project CEO Nicci Peck to find out why she wanted to get involved….
One of SOFA Project’s social objectives is to stop things going to landfill, hence its 3 Rs motto to reuse, recycle, and regenerate.

The clothes boutique at SOFA Project (where everything is so well designed you may not even notice it’s recycled) is for Nicci a good excuse to talk about the 3 Rs
​ 
“I wanted to show people that they can use chairs imaginatively, as clothes rails, you can use washing machine drums for storage, you can even use books as shelves.”

Why is getting involved with BEC so important?

Nicci is very conscious of social responsibility, and would like to make the solar panels a talking point in the shop. She said:

“We are an environmental charity and social enterprise, and we are committed to extend that core purpose in any way we can.”

​How will SOFA Project use the money saved?

She would like to use the money saved from the solar panels to offer reuse and recycling to prisoners at HMP Leyhill while on day release.

This offers individuals the chance to improve their ‘soft skills’ i.e. team more training with offenders, prior to their release back into the community and to help with their rehabilitation. The organisation has long offered practical training in furniture work, creativity, confidence and the ability to engage with a project over time.

At HMP Bristol prisoners they build flatpack reuse furniture out of slightly damaged stock that would otherwise be thrown away. Nicci says before SOFA Project offered this opportunity prisoner were making office binders, and weren’t being taught any practical hands-on skills.

“We’ve all put together flatpack furniture, and I think we all know it’s not that easy! You have to follow a thought process and be calm and patient, which are important skills to have in prison.”

Find out more about how you can invest in solar and help SOFA Project change the lives of more offenders.