A GREEN-THINKING social enterprise received a special visitor – an extra boost to a year of success.

Ipswich mayor Mary Blake dropped in for a visit at Re-Create in Riverside Industrial Park, which is preparing to expand due to high demand.

Re-Create provides therapeutic work-based activities for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.

The enterprise makes arts and crafts materials for schools, playgroups, art and craft groups and individual members by taking in donated scrap materials and sorting, shredding and packaging them.

Director Martyn Rouse started the social enterprise with operations manager Graham Mann on August 1, 2011, taking on much of the work done by the county council-operated Suffolk Scrap Store in Scrivener Drive, which was closed at the end of July last year.

Mr Rouse said: “Our primary function is as a day service for adults with learning disabilities but the materials donated would otherwise go to landfill, so it’s good for the enviroment.

“Mary Blake asked to come and see us because she’s got an interest in adults with learning disabilities. It’s great to have her come and take a look around.”

Re-Create has been so successful it will expand into an adjacent unit to double its working space.

Since its launch a year ago, it has recruited two new members of staff and an apprentice.

Placements have risen from six people per day to an average of 14 per day with more referrals coming in.

Anyone interested in buying materials from Re-Create can visit www.recreate-enterprise.co.uk to find out about being a member. Companies wishing to donate clean materials for re-use as art and craft items, should call 01473 603393.