The group's storage shed was burned to the ground and all its equipment, including a shredder, hand tools, heaters and wheelbarrows, were destroyed in the blaze.

Tim Cara, chief executive of Forward + Futures, the charity behind the scheme, said: "It was a real setback because everything was lost including our shelter, machinery and materials and we gradually had to replace everything."

The attack had a lasting impact on trainees at the scheme and the shed, which was also used as an educational centre and mess, has yet to be replaced.

But the determined group, which also has a small base in Narborough, will not be beaten.

Within eight weeks, it was back on site, working the best it could and the project now has around 300 customers in Lynn, Narborough and Shouldham.

Site supervisor Jonathan Denney said: "Our customers are mainly gardeners, but we have a real mix of people of all ages. It's taking a bit longer to build up numbers in Lynn, but we're getting there."

As well as benefiting the environment, Compo provides a stable environment where its trainees can build their confidence, meet new people and learn important workplace skills.

Jonathan, who lives near Swaffham Heath, explained: "For most people it's a chance to gain valuable work experience, such as arriving on time and working through until lunch, which some of the trainees don't have. We have a real mixture of abilities and we like to give them a variety of jobs to do."

In the summer the team, which is currently made up of around 15 trainees, collects and processes roughly 450 sacks of green waste every week.

During the colder months this falls to around 100 bags, but it collects huge quantities of glass which the team recycles and even Christmas trees on its winter rounds, meaning the work never lets up.

"It really is very hard work, but they enjoy all the activities. We go out in all weathers, all the year round and there are collections every week except over Christmas," Jonathan added.

Jonathan (37), a traditional carpenter by trade, wanted a change and 18 months ago he got in touch with Compo.

"I went along and volunteered for a while because I wanted to do something different. When the job came up, I went for it. I have real job satisfaction and really enjoy helping these guys," he said.


Work to restore the North Lynn base is steadily gaining momentum and there are plans to create a nature reserve on-site where adults attending the Forward + Futures Day Care Centre will be able to study plants and wildflife.

Tim added: "We hope to build another shelter, but it won't be as big. Making compost is an important activity for the environment, but it's great to be able to use the space for other eco-friendly projects."

"We are still not back on top of everything yet, but we're getting there."

• For more information about Compo, call 01553 770570.