Framework

Framework delivers community based mental health and intellectual disability services for the greater Auckland region from strategic locations throughout the city.

Among non government agencies, it is a leader in adopting an integrated approach to its delivery of services. Vocational skills, supported employment, education and training are the principle services they provide.  All are closely aligned with employers to help get mental health consumers back into employment and society.

Framework operates two Organic Farm New Zealand, a certified organic gardens, in Grey Lynn and Devonport where clients are supported in their recovery through therapeutic horticulture and healthy living skills.

The challenge
Embedding sustainability across six sites in the Auckland region on a constrained community sector budget.  

Some responses

• Despite limited funding, Framework has gained support from staff for the sustainability initiatives.
• Framework created a ‘sustainability in the workplace project’ to ensure that they work towards being a sustainable organisation. Representatives from each site across the region act as an advisory board to steer the direction of sustainability.
• A ‘how to’ sustainability poster has been put up at all sites to assist people to understand how sustainability occurs at Framework.
• Framework has become a Fair Trade Workplace.
• Framework management are working towards a paperless office.
• The fleet manager has reduced the size of the engines in the petrol cars used at Framework.
• The fleet is gradually being replaced with newer, more fuel efficient vehicles.
• Framework’s two certified organic therapeutic gardens are used to educate and raise awareness among staff, clients and public groups, about climate change, food security, fruit tree planting, organic gardening, composting, sustainability and recycling. 

The results

• Sustainability has become one of Framework’s core values and is included in all policies and recruitment and pervades all aspects of services from business planning to weekly meetings. 
• A sustainable working group meets bi-monthly and is supported by a senior manager who has a sustainability brief.
• An introductory ‘green book’ (a how to guide) has been produced and is available to new staff as part of the induction process.
• All of Framework’s sites have worm farms and kitchen buckets for collection of green waste.
• Framework uses environmentally friendly cleaning products.
• Paper and cardboard bins have been installed in each major area of Framework. 
• Recycled cardboard boxes have been installed under each computer station for staff members to put paper and cardboard in before it goes to the cardboard recycling bin.
• Waste skips have been replaced by recycling bins.

Northern Regional Awards judges' comments

• Framework provides an important and necessary service to their clients and to the wider community, in a sector that is challenging and sometimes controversial. 
• Their sustainable working group is a fantastic initiative and they are clearly taking environmental and social factors into account when making organisational decisions.

•  Framework is educating and influencing a wide cross section of people through their gardens and community projects.
• Framework has a holistic view of sustainability and is embedding this throughout the organisation.