A pioneering charitable organisation recycling household items to support vulnerable people and households on low incomes or struggling with costs, has moved.
The charity Refurnish has moved its Tavistock shop from Crelake Industrial Estate, Pixon Lane, to a new unit at Westbridge Trading Centre, at Westbridge Industrial Estate in Tavistock.
The charity is open as before, providing a valuable community service at the new site which is easily accessible with dedicated free parking for unloading and loading items into vehicles.
Refurnish sells a wide range of secondhand furniture, washing machines and cookers, clothing and a wide choice of other household items to the general public at very affordable prices and at a discount to people on benefits. Their van collects and delivers goods daily so there is always more stock and bargains to be had each day
The project provides opportunities for volunteering, work experience and employment for long-term unemployed, people with a variety of support needs and retired people.
The charity also helps others with extra support needs by employing them or taking them on as volunteers. They help people who are isolated for a variety of reasons and others with learning needs and mental health problems.
The CEO David Banks said: “We are a sustainable charity which recycles all sorts of household items, ranging from washing machines, cookers, microwaves, tables and chairs to lawn mowers, bicycles, clothing and anything you can think of for your home.
“Items are then sold at affordable prices to the general public. People who show proof of claiming benefits can then have a 20 per cent discount to help them provide essential items for their homes.
“We are sustainable because we stop serviceable and working household items being taken to landfill when they can be used by people struggling with bills and those on benefits.”
People can deliver unwanted reusable furniture and appliances and the smaller items directly to the shop, however Refurnish also collects large items free of charge and provides an affordable delivery service. This cost restricts many people who do not have the means or cannot afford to pay to hire delivery vans to acquire essential household items and create space in their homes by getting rid of unwanted items that would otherwise go to waste.
David said: “We are different from most charities with retail outlets because we pay all of our staff carrying out our essential roles or services and our volunteers are extra help for our operations. Our aim is to sell goods as cheaply as possible whilst meeting our costs rather than generating money for other charitable purposes. Most charities rely on volunteers to carry out the majority of their roles to maximise the income going to their cause.
“Many of our volunteers then go on to become members of staff. Volunteers and staff with support needs benefit from having a job, to reduce isolation. For everyone it is very therapeutic to have a purpose, to have a reason to get up in the morning and a routine for both physical and mental health well-being and this is a big part of why Refurnish exists alongside its environmental objectives.”
Find out more at refurnish.org.uk/.