‘Pass it on’ scheme launched

David Haigh and Gynn Banks from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has started a furniture re-use scheme, ‘Pass It On’.

Every year, British people throw away around 10million pieces of furniture, which equates to around 30,000 bits of furniture every day.

Angela Havens Financial Inclusion Manger for the company said: “We regularly meet new tenants who are really desperate for items to furnish their new house or flat – at the same time when we go into empty properties we come across furniture that people have just left for us to take away and throw out. It made sense to put the two together and pass on reusable items to those in need.”

This scheme is designed to help young people set up their first home by re-using other people’s unwanted furniture. However, the scheme will consider requests from other tenants setting up homes, and if it has any spare stock, will try and help.

“As well as being good for the environment and helping people set up home, the furniture re-use scheme has recreated two full time jobs on a 12 month basis,” said Ms Havens. “The new team assess, collect and remove the furniture clean it up and if necessary make any minor repairs. We then sell off the furniture at affordable rates to tenants. For example a fridge will cost £20 and a coffee table will cost £5.00.

“If we do have surplus furniture stock we will do a surplus sell off day,” said Angela “that way we can help as many people as possible.”

The scheme has only been running for 4 weeks and already RBH has managed to help around 15 households.

The scheme is looking for workable fridges and fridge freezers, lamps, dining furniture, bed frames and bedroom furniture, bookshelves, cupboards, TV standards and sofas or armchairs that have the fire safety label still on.

So if you’re throwing away an item like this – don’t. Give the money Matters team at RBH a call and “Pass It On”

If you would like to pass on your unwanted furniture and help others furnish their home then please contact RBH on 078075 10324.