Press release -

ITS CURTAINS FOR THE FREE PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG

FROM 5th October a charge is being levied on all plastic shopping bags
in major supermarkets to deter their use and encourage consumers to
carry their groceries in reusable carriers.
The DLNR CRC has been running a scheme that enables offenders - completing
their community sentences - to sew special Morsbags, which are made of cloth
and given away free to encourage a more green approach to recycling material
and to limit the use of plastic bags in supermarkets and shops.
In the seven years that the probation and Morsbag partnership has been running,
more than 43,000 bags have been produced by supervised men and women
undertaking reparation work for their offences. The majority of the bags are now
given to the Victim Support charity.
Reparation Work
The unpaid reparation work is part of a supervision order and is referred to as
Community Payback. The offenders are ordered by the Courts to complete
between 40 to 300 hours on projects that benefit local communities.
Men and women work in the sewing room when they have been assessed as
unsuitable to undertake work on an outdoor project.
More on Morsbags
Morsbags is now an international movement - started in 2007 by Claire and Joe
Morsman - that encourages groups of volunteers, known as pods, to produce
bags from old unwanted material such as curtains. Each Morsbag bears the
authentic Mors label and are often given away free at supermarkets, farmers
markets and community events etc.
In Leicester the DLNR CRC has established a work room with five electric sewing
machines, which enables supervised offenders to produce a range of fabric items
that are either sold to raise funds for local charities or - as with the Morsbags are given away free.
Community Payback Manager Fran Barney explained: The sewing room runs
seven days a week and most of our Morsbags go directly to Victim Support. This
is an excellent partnership and, not only are men and women completing their
reparation work, they are also learning new skills. Weve had a few people who
have gone on to work in the textile industry. Finding paid employment reduces
the risk that someone will re-offend again in the future.

Sewing Experience in Leicester

On Saturday, October 3rd - from 10.00am onwards - there will be an exhibition at
the Visit Leicester Information Centre, on Gallowtree Gate, where visitors can
receive a free bag and have a go at making their own on the sewing machines
that are being provided for participants.
An Appeal for More Material
Morsbag spokesperson Rosie Eley added: We hope people will come along on
October 3rd and during the event we will also be giving away 500 Morsbags. In
Leicestershire the largest number of bags has been produced by Community
Payback.
It is great to see the Morsbag programme develop, but we also need more
material that is woven rather than stretch. We are appealing for any fabric shop
or curtain manufacturer with unwanted off-cuts to please get in touch via my
email (rpeley@yahoo.com) or the Morsbag and DLNR CRC websites. We do
stipulate woven rather than stretch material which is not suitable for our bags.
Material can be donated at Saturdays event and there is also a collection point
at Brocks Hill Country Park and Visitor Centre in Leicester.

PRESS ENQUIRIES
Contact External Communications Manager Fiona Buchanan
on 0116 251 6008 or 07711 160685.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Sewing event on October 3rd at:
The Visit Leicester Information Centre,
51 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester. LE1 - 5AD.

Material collection point at:

Brocks Hill Country Park and Visitor Centre

Washbrook Lane, Oadby. Leicester. LE2 - 5JJ.