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Recycling shop aims to tackle furniture poverty

Mark McAlindonin Whitehaven
News imageMark McAlindon/BBC Emma Williamson smiling into the camera. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a black hoodie. She is also wearing large, black glasses. She is standing in front of an out-of-focus building which has a blue and white balloon arch in front of the glass entrance.Mark McAlindon/BBC
Emma Williamson said furnishing homes can be expensive, especially during the cost of living crisis

A new furniture recycling centre hopes to help those experiencing furniture poverty and train young people in new skills.

Revive, on the Mirehouse estate in Whitehaven, Cumbria, will restore unwanted but usable household goods before making them available for sale or donation.

It is hoped in three years the scheme will prevent about 100-tonnes of goods being dumped in landfill.

Cumberland councillor and project lead for Revive, Labour's Emma Williamson, said she wanted to help people moving into a new property but who cannot afford to furnish it.

"About four years ago I went to see a project in Doncaster and it was about reducing poverty, Williamson said.

"What I found in Whitehaven were charities that were getting referrals for furniture and white goods and spending an absolute fortune on new things.

"I wanted to bring new life back to old things and it created a passion in me to create Revive."

News imageMark McAlindon/BBC Rachel Stewart looking to the left of the camera with pursed lips. She had red hair with a full fringe and is wearing a black hoodie with the Revive logo on it. Behind her are various tools hanging on a wall, but they are out of focus.Mark McAlindon/BBC
Rachel Stewart said the shop is looking for older furniture

The centre, once a derelict building, will also provide employment training.

Michael Pemberton, chief executive of Britain's Energy Coast, said: "You'll have heard an awful lot about those not in education or training, young people who are really hard to reach.

"This is about breaking down barriers, giving them hope and new skills."

Workshops in recycling will be led by Rachel Stewart who said the team was "going to restore anything we can get our hands on".

"The older the better because the wood is better quality," she said.

"Modern furniture isn't built to last."

News imageMark McAlindon/BBC The outside of the shop which has a dark grey corrugated facade with a large glass entrance in the middle and a blue and white balloon arch in front of it. There is a white sign with blue lettering which reads Revive above the entrance.Mark McAlindon/BBC
Revive is hoping to give furniture to families across West Cumbria

Williamson said she hopes Revive will reach those most in need.

"The cost of living crisis is here and when people move into a new property- in particular when they're homeless, or fleeing domestic abuse or leaving care - it's really costly," she said.

"Our ethos is to give someone something to sit on, eat on and sleep in."

Revive appealed for donations of items and goods that can be restored and passed on to families across West Cumbria.

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