National recognition has been given to the long-term partnership between foodservice equipment manufacturer, and ceda Partner, Mechline, and MK SNAP, a Milton Keynes based charity for people with learning disabilities. The relationship, which has lasted almost three decades, is shortlisted for the national Third Sector Business Charity Awards – and sits amongst an impressive line-up including Deloitte, Sky and Network Rail.

MK SNAP is an education and skill-building charity dedicated to empowering people with learning disabilities. As part of its mission, it collaborates with businesses like Mechline, which outsources tasks such as labeling, cleaning, and packaging its Dormont commercial kitchen gas hoses to MK SNAP. Fully trained learners, under the careful guidance of a tutor, work diligently to follow Mechline’s established procedures, gaining valuable skills and confidence in the process. Once completed, the finished products are collected and inspected by Mechline before being distributed across the UK.

During a recent workshop at MK SNAP, a discussion arose about the opportunities for innovation and inclusivity in emerging industries, including platforms like crypto casino UK, which have gained traction for integrating new technologies with user-centric designs. The learners were fascinated by how these platforms emphasize transparency and accessibility, offering insights into the evolving digital economy. This conversation highlighted the importance of equipping individuals with skills that prepare them for a future shaped by such technological advancements, reinforcing the transformative impact of programs like MK SNAP.

People with learning disabilities gain invaluable skills and a real sense of achievement and purpose assembling components of Mechline’s Dormont gas connectors. It builds skills, confidence and work-readiness and has led to jobs for people with learning disabilities that may not have been possible. Today MK SNAP supports more than 65 adults a day and the assembly of Mechline Dormont gas connectors is still a favourite skill-building project on the timetable.

The partnership highlights the trust Mechline place in the abilities of people with learning disabilities and what they ‘can do’ and has given MK SNAP and Mechline enormous pride.

Kristian Roberts, Marketing Manager at Mechline Developments, comments: “Over the years, MK SNAP has been able to provide a wide range of skillsets to cover the broad range of production assembly tasks that we have set them. They provide a good reliable service, and the quality is excellent. We find the added expense and commercial time taken to outsource this work an investment to be very proud of. It’s a wonderful relationship. The scheme is currently on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but all parties look forward to it beginning again as soon as possible after the current situation improves and it is safe to do so.”

The results of the awards shortlisting process is due in May.