Surrey Choices customers are giving furniture a new lease of life with the start of a Furniture Recycling Project.
Surrey Choices has teamed up with FurnitureLink, in Guildford, which recycle, refurbish and reuse good quality, pre-owned donated furniture and appliances, to offer the new project.
The furniture Recycling Project will support disadvantaged or disabled customers in learning valuable new skills, which may help them prepare for work or volunteering.
Surrey Choices supports a range of people to find the best care, activities and services for their needs across Surrey.
The Furniture Project uses donations of furniture, which are then recycled, whilst providing training, valuable life skills and work experience. Throughout the project individuals will learn basic carpentry skills, health and safety, how to sell items and deliver jobs on time. Recycled furniture is then sold to members of the local community or rented for festivals, theatre productions.
John Willson, voluntary projects manager at Surrey Choices said: “It’s great to be involved with such a fantastic project, giving people the opportunity to gain valuable life skills as well as recycling furniture that otherwise may go to waste.
“Our partnership with FurnitureLink has been successfully running for six months, with approximately 15 customers getting involved. Our customers have learnt basic carpentry skills such as sanding and painting and have restored many items including planters and bird boxes.”
The Recycling Project runs five days a week, 9.00am-3.30pm, at Lockwood Hub, Westfield Road, Guildford, GU1 1RR. Although times can be varied depending on the customer’s needs.