Restoring Lives, Restoring Homes

 
Setting up a new home is not easy, especially if you cannot afford to buy new furniture at retail prices. That is why Stonepillow has set up its latest venture, Restore, which will work with the local community, recycling donations of furniture and white goods to individuals and families on low incomes in the area.
 
The benefits of this project are clear: people wanting to get rid of surplus furniture and white goods can do so easily, with Stonepillow collecting directly from your home. Plus, people who previously struggled to furnish their homes will now be able to access good quality furniture at reasonable prices.
 
Collecting donations of furniture is only a small part of what Restore aims to do. Our new warehouse in Shopwhyke, Chichester will double as a workshop where trainee volunteers, recruited from our client base, will learn the skills to restore all donated items. This is a significant opportunity for Stonepillow to provide better prospects for people in recovery from addiction, to develop employability for long-term unemployed and to reduce social exclusion.
 
The project also aims to promote environmental issues by encouraging recycling within the local community. A similar venture has been set up in the Dorset area and having proven an unprecedented success Dorset Reclaim has now helped thousands of people to furnish their homes. Since their first warehouse opened in 1998, they have prevented a massive 17,500 tonnes of household waste needlessly going to landfill.
 
Sylvie Johnston, Director of Operational Services for Stonepillow believes that there is a real need for this kind of service in the Chichester area:  “One of the major benefits of this project is that it will touch the lives of many groups within the community it serves. According to the Citizens Advice Bureau data, figures on debt enquiries are increasing year on year. People ‘on the margin of society’ deserve the same rights to aspire to furnishing their homes without having to compromise on quality. Community volunteers want the opportunity to ‘share’ their skills and mentor long-term unemployed to recover their lost self confidence in order to access paid employment. Individuals really care about green issues and want to encourage regeneration by reducing waste and promoting recycling.”
 
If you have furniture/white goods that you would like to donate or to find out about volunteering opportunities for Restore please call 01243 537934 or email admin@stonepillow.org.uk