When it comes to recycling, small actions in every organization or person may take on an everyday basis can mean a world of difference for the environment. Recycling and reusing materials has, for years, been one of the main elements of the sewing and leather-craft vocational training process at the Valakupiai Rehabilitation Center. These are just a small part of the variety of vocational training programmes that are available for people with disabilities at VRC. 

Lessons that the Valakupiai Rehabilitation Centre’s team has learned during more than 10 years of experience of provision of services centered on the integration of people with mental and other disabilities are that:

• People with disabilities are creative and hard-working if they like their tasks; 
• Participants need the support of professionals and peers;
• Meaningful leisure is very important to every person;
• By doing crafts, the participants benefit in terms of development of practical vocational skills, personal development, better mood, increased self-confidence.

In a project like Chic&Craft, which focuses on reusing material and “upcycling”, participants with disabilities have the opportunity to create fashionable objects in a very environmentally friendly way.

Protecting the environment is everyone’s future!