Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill was on hand to formally launch Apex Scotland’s social enterprise business All Cleaned Up on 19 June. All Cleaned Up is an industrial cleaning and waste disposal company that has its premises in Sandport Place, Leith.
Mr MacAskill was joined by Rob Strachan, Chief Officer of Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority and Max Adam, Marketing and Sales Director of chemical manufacturers RP Adam as well as representatives from local authorities, local housing associations, the Scottish Prison Service and the police.
Mr MacAskill said:
“All Cleaned Up is a great initiative and I am delighted to see it up and running. Here in Edinburgh it is offering real opportunities for ex-offenders to gain accredited qualifications and valuable work experience, while making a positive contribution to the environment in their communities at the same time. I also welcome the fact that this offers opportunities for individuals serving a Community Payback Order. We want to see low-level offenders out paying back communities and we should be using them as a resource to make improvements to local communities as pay back for the damage they have done. We want to see more of this type of work being replicated right across Scotland.”
Brian Robertson-Fern, All Cleaned Up’s Operations Manager said:
“I’m delighted that we’re now trading and my technicians can put all their training into practice. We are all keen to make this business a success and, if commitment and enthusiasm are anything to go by, then I think we stand a good chance.”