Larkhall Community Growers (LCG) is a small social enterprise whose main aim is to make a positive impact on the lives of people living in the local community by helping them to take climate action.

​LCG runs a wide range of projects and activities including Hareleeshill Community Garden and Larkhall Community Project, but there was one project in particular that they felt would be of great benefit but that they couldn’t do on their own.

They wanted to help local people to shred confidential waste and to use the opportunity to educate them for the future on the importance of identity crimes and keeping important documentation safe – but didn’t have the facilities to undertake it on such a large scale.

However, the Community Wish List was able to connect them with Paper Shredding Services who sent out a mobile shredding truck to enable the project to go ahead.

Terry Paterson, Project Manager at LGC, said: “The day went really well. The shredder was used by a great many folk from the community, including people who already attend our groups and activities, people who are new to us and local businesses. One person even told us that some of the paperwork they were shredding was dated back to the 1990s.

“This was a great addition to what we offer and others have commented that they would have used it if they had known about it, so it has also helped to get word out about the subject.”

Eleanor Furmage, Head of Sales and Contracts at Paper Shredding Services, said: “We are deeply committed to offering meaningful community benefits, and this event was a great example of this philosophy.

“Beyond safeguarding sensitive information, we also aim to raise awareness about the significance of environmentally responsible document-disposal practices. Through initiatives like this, we strive to contribute positively to the communities we serve while promoting sustainability and security.”

The Community Wish List is supported by the council’s Community Engagement Team and was created by the council to enable groups and organisations to make requests for specific support to benefit their local community.

Chair of the council's Finance and Corporate Resources Committee, Councillor Lesley McDonald, said: “This is another great example of the Community Wish List and the benefits it can bring to local communities and organisations.

“I would like to thank Paper Shredding Services and all of the other companies who have so generously donated time, money and resources so far.”

Local community groups can still submit a wish to the Community Wish List. To find out more, go to the council website, send an email, or call 0303 123 1017.