Tower and Town, February 2017

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Have You Heard Of Kennet Furniture Recycling?

Kennet Furniture Recycling (KFR) is a registered charity and an amalgamation of Kennet Furniture Cycling and ReFurbiz. Its advertisement is on page 6, and you may have received one of their free information leaflets through your letterbox. Their showroom is on the Hopton Industrial Estate in Devizes; it is open Mondays to Thursdays 08.30-4.30 pm, Fridays 08.30-4.30 pm and on the first Saturday in the month 9.30-12.30 pm.

Furniture and white goods are donated by households; these are assessed for suitability before being collected. Upholstered furniture and mattresses have to be fire retardant. Donors are encouraged to give a donation of £5 to £10 to cover collection costs. KFR has to pay the Council fees to recycle items which don't sell. It may take up to two weeks for items to be collected. All styles of furniture are welcome; items of value may be put on e-bay to generate income. All goods are checked over and white goods are cleaned, repaired and given a safety 'Portable Appliance Tested' (PAT) test, with a 3 month warranty.

Items are priced at two levels - a higher price for people not on benefit and an indicated lower price for those in receipt of benefit. KFR recognise there is a group who are low earners but not on benefit, so are open to negotiation.

The annual turnover is in the region of £200K. The main costs are: maintaining two vans, which you may have seen around Marlborough (they are here two days a week); and the salaries of the paid manager and two full time paid drivers. Otherwise it is staffed by volunteers. KFR are always looking for more volunteers. Volunteers have the opportunity to add to their skills which can be useful work experience and for their CVs. One volunteer was an ex-prisoner who has proved to be very reliable and has successfully finished a PAT testing course.

Anyone can visit their store and purchase. You do not have to be referred though Social Services or other agencies. KFR has several primary goals: To reduce poverty in Wiltshire and to support disadvantaged citizens.

• To enable employment opportunities through training and support to volunteers.
• To respect the environment through reduction of waste and encouragement of re-use.

Clare Napier on behalf of MAPAG

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