A new programme, devised by the charity Framework, can help businesses recycle domestic or office furniture, electrical appliances, fixtures and fittings and, at the same time, transform the lives of homeless people.
Framework provides supported accommodation for around 3,000 homeless people each year across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Every year Framework furnishes and equips around 600 units of accommodation – mostly one-bed flats – at an annual cost of £660,000.
The Furnishing Futures scheme aims to help two types of business. It offers a solution for producers, suppliers and retailers seeking to dispose of dead stock including furniture, electrical appliances, kitchenware, soft furnishing and bedding. The scheme is also aimed at businesses wishing to recycle and repurpose items following a refurbishment.
Furnishing Futures is designed to accept either regular or one-off donations. Every donation will receive an impact report to help the business demonstrate the resulting social and environmental impact – outlining the number of people helped and the number of items diverted from landfill. This information can be used to show progress towards achieving Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
Nottingham’s Lace Market Hotel has recently become the first donor to the new Furnishing Futures scheme with the provision of beds, desks and chairs. Area Sales Manager Richard Adamson said: “We are proud to have supported Framework’s Furnishing Futures initiative, contributing to their mission to end homelessness and tackle disadvantage by helping to furnish properties for local people experiencing homelessness.
“This initiative is ideal for hotels like ours as we are currently going through a soft refurb. Instead of disposing of these items in a less environmentally- and socially-conscious way, we wanted to ensure our old furniture could help give a new lease of life to someone who needs it.
“We are big believers in helping make our local community a safer, cleaner and more comfortable place for everyone. By working in partnership with Framework we are delighted to have been able to do just that and we would urge other hotels and businesses to consider doing the same.”
Matt Cooke, the Framework fundraiser managing the scheme, says: “The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that, in 2020, the UK generated approximately 28 million tonnes of commercial waste, much of which was incinerated or sent to landfill.
“That waste will have included many thousands of items of hard and soft furnishings – often in great condition or still brand new – that could have had a new lease of life.
“What many producers, suppliers and retailers might consider ‘dead stock’ is seen by charities like Framework as something that can help build new lives.
“We want to highlight the opportunity to businesses who have a problem disposing of high-quality, ex-display, returned or end-of-line hard or soft furnishings, electrical appliances, kitchenware and bedding.
“In addition, Furnishing Futures is relevant to businesses who are contemplating refurbishment and are looking for a disposal solution that is both cost-free and demonstrates their sense of social and environmental responsibility. We are very grateful to the management at the Lace Market Hotel in Nottingham who have recently provided proof of concept by becoming our first Furnishing Futures donor.
“We invite businesses to join forces with Framework through our Furnishing Futures initiative and donate their stock to give it – and the people we support – a new lease of life.
“Our charity faces immense cost-of-living pressures – for instance our annual fuel bill rose by 81% in the past year meaning there was £1.3m less to spend on supporting people in need. By saving us the cost of purchasing new goods, businesses participating in Furnishing Futures will enable us to divert similarly much-needed resources to support the growing number of people seeking our support in these difficult times.
“Furnishing Futures offers a win for businesses; it is also a win for Framework and the people we support, and it’s definitely a win for the environment!
“So we look forward to working with interested business partners to make a difference together through this exciting and innovative project.”
To turn an empty house or flat into a welcoming home for someone who has been experiencing homelessness the items needed by Framework include:
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Furniture: 2-seater sofas, dining tables and chairs, coffee tables, bedside tables, wardrobes, chests of drawers and single bed frames
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Electrical appliances: kettles, toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, TVs, smartphones with chargers, laptops with chargers
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Kitchenware: cutlery, dining sets (bowls, plates, mugs), cooking utensils, cooking pans, oven trays
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Bedding: mattresses, sheets, duvets and covers, pillows and cases
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Furnishings such as roller blinds, lamps and lampshades.
