A charity which refurbishes and recycles furniture to help people in need has flung open its doors to the public in a bid to remove the stigma behind reusing furniture.


The Furniture Scheme, based in Twickenham, also hopes opening its doors and displaying the work will generate funds to help its work continue.

Richard Featherstone from the London Community Recycling Network said: “Reusing furniture shouldn’t be a last resort, it should be a choice. We’re inviting anyone to come and have a look. We have lovely pieces of furniture.”

The scheme, one of 14 similar charities based around London, is run by a number of trustees. They collect donated furniture and refurbish it for the needy.

Recently, it has introduced a recycling scheme to reduce waste and the amount of unwanted furniture that ends up in landfill sites.

Resident carpenter Henry Brockman said: “We refurbish or recycle any pieces of furniture that are a bit tatty.”

A new project that aims to offer work placements in carpentry and charity management to the long-term unemployed has also been established.

Learning opportunities include training in health and safety, improving interpersonal skills and specialising in essential carpentry skills, taught by a professional carpenter.

One volunteer said: “It is good experience for the future, it teaches me new skills.”

Last year, The Furniture Scheme received donations from a number of charities but the funds were not enough and the premises nearly closed.

The charity is currently looking for support to improve its stockage and to further its aims to help others and the environment.

The Furniture Scheme could also be a good opportunity for students going back to university in October to collect cheap furniture for their student housing.

Furthermore, the inexpensive furniture could be interesting for art and design students who want to create their own furniture designs. The scheme’s staff are very keen to get colleges and universities working with them.

Jo Gregory, one of the scheme’s trustees, said: “We have unique items and there are many opportunities to work creatively.”