NEWSLETTERS
Winter 2011
Autumn 2011
Summer 2011
Spring 2011
Winter 2010
Autumn 2010
May 2010
February 2010
December 2009
Mental Health First Aid Training leaflet Click here
Sustainability Challenge Publication Jean is on page 23
Opening of new book department - Press Release 6th January 2012
Good news for the book-lovers of Ludlow!
The Renaissance Centre in Tower Street, Ludlow is opening a new book department on Monday January 16th.
When the much-loved cafe had to close last October on the retirement of its volunteer manager, Kath Bills, it was decided the best use of the space was to gather up the various book sales areas into one large new room.
The existing book department has become very popular with local bookworms and increasingly well-known in the whole of South Shropshire.
In recent years Ludlow has lost most of its antiquarian and second-hand bookshops. It’s hoped that the new premises will help to fill that gap by providing the widest possible variety of stock, from the £1 paperback to the £100 rare first edition, from astronomy to zoology.
Helen Muir said “As well as modern publications of every kind, we like to recognise writers of the past century who still have faithful followers among our customers. So our popular out-of-print section will continue to offer rare old favourites from as little as £1. There will also be forgotten children's favourites from the past 100 years”.
The new book room is spacious and light, with comfy armchairs and low tables, encouraging visitors to browse as long as they like.
Jean Jarvis MBE, Furniture Scheme Chief Executive says “We’ve been very pleased with the success of our bookshop, led by volunteer Helen Muir, who has a background in books. With Helen’s help we have built up a large customer base and we hope that this will increase still further when we open the new bookshop. In these difficult times we need to be creative in our fundraising and the income that the bookshop generates helps us to deliver the range of valuable services we provide to local people.”
To find out more about the books on offer, visit the Renaissance Centre between Mondays and Saturdays from 9.30 to 5, but allow yourself plenty of time! You can also find out more by phoning 01584 877751.
Starting 20th October -
Rockspring Thursdays Drop-in
pop in for a cuppa, have a chat, make new friends, use the computers,
try new activities -
every Thursday 9.30am - 2.30pm
Could you be a Rockspring Supporter?
For more information click here
Press release 11/07/11 - Funky Dressing Tables at reviive
Following the success of Funky Chairs in 2010, Jean Jarvis MBE, CEO of South Shropshire Furniture Scheme and Phil Sams of Ludlow 21, are again asking Ludlow College of Art & Design students to help them, this time by branching out into Funky Dressing Tables. It's another project which is about “up-cycling” – the space beyond re-cycling.
Using old dressing tables provided by the Furniture Scheme, the students will turn them into born-again dressing tables with a difference, making them into innovative and contemporary furniture, which will be sold through reviive the re-use store in Shrewsbury.
This year, Skillbuilders CIC in the form of Graeme Perks has also joined the team to share his knowledge on making and craft furniture skills.
Jean says “ I am very excited with the new project. When we all joined forces last year, I thought it would be a one off. To move into this new upcycling project is very positive. The students gave and learnt such a lot. Much thought, planning and energy went into the end products - a very diverse range of upcycled chairs. One chair even became a hat! I can’t wait to see what they come up with this time.”
Details of this and past projects can be found on www.thinkwater.yolasite.com. Phil says "the students and Helen Cass, head of Art and Design at Ludlow College are great partners. There's nothing like the power of student brains to help you see the world in a different way".
Rockspring Summer Scheme will be taking place for 8 - 16 year olds every Tuesday during the school holidays see programme here and there will be a week of activities taking place on from Monday 8th - Friday 12th August see programme here For more information or to book a place contact: Maria at Rockspring Community Centre Tel: 01584 874922 or call in.
Funded by Shropshire Council 
Jean Jarvis MBE at her Investiture on 22nd June 2011
A NEW YOU
Week Starting 11th July 2011 -
A NEW YOU - a whole week of free activities for you to do - confidence building, fitness ideas and fun, massage, relaxation, healthly cooking ... time for yourself! come for the whole week or just a few sessions. Day starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm and lunch is included. Things on offer include: active health, pilates, healthly eating, eco chic, taking charge of your life, a stress-free you, make-over time.
For more information and to book your place contact:
Tricia Steynor - 07582003809 email: tricia.steynor@shropshire.gov.uk or
Karen Fidler - 07582003233 email: karenfidleracl@yahoo.co.uk or call into Rockspring and pick up a flyer.
Apprentice Administration Assistant wanted at SSFS deadline for applying 27/06/11 - download job description details here and flyer with details of who to apply to here
Rockspring Open Day: Thursday June 2nd 10am ~ 6pm.
We had a great day. See our pictures on Face Book.
Rockspring Open Day – the next chapter for Ludlow Community Centre
The Rockspring Centre at Sandford Road in Ludlow is throwing open its doors on Thursday 2nd June between 10am and 6pm. Everyone is welcome to drop in for a chat, have a cuppa, take part in some new activities, get involved and have some fun!
Throughout the day there will be things for people of all ages to do including arts and crafts, competitions, activity trails, a tour of the community garden, face painting, Xbox games and a lunchtime barbeque.
Rockspring Community Centre shares a site with the Ludlow Baptist Church and Rockspring Nursery & Childcare Centre, who will also be welcoming people to see what they have to offer.
There will be lots of organisations on hand to provide advice and support, including the Credit Union, Age UK, South Shropshire Youth Forum, South Shropshire Housing Association and Shropshire Council. The Mayor will also be dropping in during the afternoon to talk to people about their local priorities.
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme has been working in partnership with Rockspring over the last few months. They have recently taken over the lease of the building and will operate the Centre full time from the end of May.
Chief Executive Jean Jarvis MBE said, “We are absolutely delighted to be working at the Rockspring Centre. It’s a valuable community building in the heart of Ludlow’s Sandpits estate. We have been looking to increase our community activities for some time and Rockspring is the perfect place for us to do this. It’s a great opportunity and we really want local people to get involved and work with us to make the most of their community centre.”
Local people are being invited to drop in any time, and to come along to the Open Day on 2nd June to share their views on what activities and services should be delivered at Rockspring in the future.
Jean concluded, “We want to see the Centre play an even greater part in community life for people in Ludlow and particularly for those living on the Sandpits estate. It’s important that we understand what local people want to see happen here, and what activities they would like to take part in.”
For more information or if you have any ideas to share please contact Maria on 01584 874922.
Click here for what's going on and here for activities taking place
Inspire Shropshire 2011 - Social Enterprise Conference and Fair
is being held at Craven Arms Community Centre on Friday 24th June 9am - 4.15pm. We hope to see you there! Flyer and Booking Form
Volunteer Events June 2011
Thursday June 2nd 10 - 12 Rockspring Community Centre
Thursday June 2nd 2 - 4 Weeping Cross Lane
Friday June 3rd 2 - 4 Renaissance Centre
Monday 6th June 9.30 - 2 Ludlow Square event with Community Council of Shropshire
Tuesday 7th June 10.30 - 11.30 Friars Walk
Tuesday 7th June 2 - 4 Reviive, Shrewsbury
The Monica Green Trust (Press release 18/03/11)
Following the recent sad death of well known Ludlovian, Monica Green, staff at South Shropshire Furniture Scheme have been thinking of ways to commemorate Monica’s long standing involvement with the scheme, for the last few years as Chairman.
James Cooper the schemes Project Support Officer, came up with the idea of a trust fund. This was put before the board yesterday who wholeheartedly approved the idea and suggested that any funds raised could be used to sponsor a young person into employment. The trust fund also has the support and approval of Monica’s partner, Paul Bernard.
Jean Jarvis MBE said “Monica spent most of her working life assisting and supporting people in their quest to find suitable employment. She was interested in, and really cared about people, wanting to make a difference for the better to their lives. We were both committed to providing opportunities for people to develop their potential, enabling them to achieve goals they didn’t even know they had. She sought to lift and encourage people where she could and we often chatted around ideas for providing more opportunities for people within the furniture scheme.
To get this initiative off the ground we need funds and are appealing to people to dig deep into their pockets to support us with this. We would all like to see Monica’s name live on through a trust fund that would sponsor people into employment in these difficult and uncertain times.
For more information on how to donate to the fund please contact Jean Jarvis or James Cooper on 01584 874922 or email jean@furniturescheme.co.uk james@furniturescheme.co.uk
or drop in to see James at Rockspring Community Centre, Sandpits Road, Ludlow, SY8 1SX
It is with great sadness we have to announce our chairman Monica Green passed away on Monday 7th February. Monica had been involved with the Furniture Scheme since its early days.
We are all devastated by the news and she will be sadly missed.
reviive wins reuse project of the year award
Social Enterprise Mark holder South Shropshire Furniture Scheme (SSFS) and Shropshire Housing Alliance (SHA) have scooped this year’s Presidents Award at the FRN’s (Furniture Reuse Network) Annual Conference. The award, for innovation and partnership working, was presented to Julian Price, SHA’s CO and Jean Jarvis MBE, SSFS’ CEO, at the conference at St John’s Hotel in Solihull recently, by FRN President Richard Featherstone.
For more click here
See also the news on the FRN website
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme and Mayfair will be working together! (Press Release 10/01/11)
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme is working in collaboration with Mayfair Community Centre with the aim of opening a new shop in Church Stretton later this year. This will replace the shop in Burway Road, which was flooded when a water pipe in the vacant flat above burst in the severe cold weather.
A spokesperson for the Furniture Scheme said “we realise that being closed in the meantime could have an impact on our customers so we are expanding some of our other services to compensate for this.” They announced that these “extended services” mean that additional collections are planned in the Stretton area for people wishing to donate items of furniture.
Additionally the Warehouse at Weeping Cross Lane, Ludlow is now open four days a week Tuesday - Friday 10am – 4pm and our new reuse store reviive on Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury is now open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm.
New Year’s Honour for Chief Exec!
Jean Jarvis, Chief Executive of SSFS, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list. It is testament to Jean’s inspirational leadership of the scheme over the past 10 years and her services to social enterprise across the UK. South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, lead by Jean, has grown from a volunteer run small re-use organisation to a successful showcase social enterprise employing 25 staff, training over 150 people a year and with over 90 hard working volunteers. The growth of SSFS has meant Jean is now an indomitable force in social enterprise on a national scale. In 2007 Jean was appointed by the Cabinet Office as a social enterprise ambassador. The ambassadors have been described as ’30 of the most inspirational social entrepreneurs in the country’. The recent ‘Seeing is Believing’ initiative, saw Jean work in partnership with Karen Lowthrop from Hillholt Wood using their own social enterprises as examples of best practice and inspiration to show the Ministry of Justice and senior civil servants how the third sector can help prisons and other institutions become more sustainable. Jean said “I am thrilled to receive this honour and very proud. I believe passionately in social enterprise as the business of the future and I’m so glad it has gained recognition in this way. I feel that this isn’t just an honour for me but also for the staff, volunteers and board of SSFS who are dedicated to the work we do to alleviate hardship and provide a whole range of opportunities to local people”.
http://www.letsrecycle.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=37&listcatid=217&listitemid=56996§ion=waste_management
Funky chairs at Ludlow College
The Funky Furniture Project is about “up-cycling” - the space beyond re-cycling.
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, provided old tired chairs to Ludlow College Art & Design students who have turned them into born-again chairs.
The students have come up with some creative designs for chairs and used their skills to re-style the unwanted chairs into innovative and contemporary furniture.
Jean Jarvis CEO of South Shropshire Furniture Scheme said “We’ve provided the chairs and a small amount of funding for materials and the results are on display from Friday – 12th November. The great thing about this is that we will eventually sell the chairs and the college will get a percentage of the profits and the students now understand about Social Enterprise and how the Furniture Scheme operates. It’s Big Society in action!
”   
Veolia sponsors van for reviive, the exciting new re-use store in Shrewsbury (22/10/10)
Veolia have sponsored a van for reviive which will enable us to deliver to customers and take in more furniture, which is fantastic news as this means we can re-use and recycle even more!
Building on the successful relationship with Veolia Environmental Services Ltd we are now able to go even further in preventing reusable furniture from ending up in landfill. With Veolia’s agreement, a member of the reviive staff is based at the Shrewsbury waste transfer station on Battlefield Enterprise Park seven days a week. They are trained to rescue perfectly good furniture that can be restored, cleaned and refurbished and sold on to the public at reviive, a community interest company (CIC) based at Unit 4, Knights Park, Battlefield Enterprise Park in Shrewsbury.
Jean Jarvis, Chief Executive of SSFS and Social Enterprise Ambassador said “we are very grateful for the support of Veolia in this ground breaking initiative. A van will make a huge difference to the service we provide and it would have been years before we could afford one ourselves”.
reviive has a huge range of stylish reclaimed furniture at competitive prices ranging from lawn mowers to household furniture, and is open Monday to Friday 9.30pm to 5pm, Saturday 9.30pm to 1pm.
reviive, Unit 4, Knights Park, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury SY1 3AB (next to Screwfix)
Tel: 01743 588458 www.reviive.co.uk
 , an exciting and stylish reuse store is now open in Shrewsbury (05/10/10)
This groundbreaking concept, unique to Shropshire, will save tonnes of household items from landfill every year and provide local people with the opportunity to buy quality home furnishings at value prices.
reviive is a partnership between South Shropshire Furniture Scheme and Shropshire Housing Alliance. Both charities are committed to relieving poverty and protecting the environment and supporting a range of people in need, including victims of domestic violence, families living in poverty through unemployment and those excluded through disadvantage.
By building on their successful relationship with Veolia Environmental Services Ltd the charities are now able to go even further in preventing reusable furniture from ending up in landfill. Every day a member of reviive staff is based at the Shrewsbury waste transfer station (the tip!) on Battlefield Enterprise Park. They are trained to rescue perfectly good furniture that can be restored, cleaned and refurbished and sold on to the public at reviive.
reviive will offer a range of training and volunteering opportunities where people can gain practical experience, learn a range of skills or gain a qualification there. Placements will be in warehouse distribution, administration, recycling or retail.
Jean Jarvis Chief Executive of SSFS and Social Enterprise Ambassador said “we are very excited about the opportunities that will be provided through this unique social enterprise. If we do well enough to make some profit, it will be used to sustain reviive and to support the work of South Shropshire Furniture Scheme and Shropshire Housing Alliance, enabling them to continue to deliver core services in our efforts to relieve poverty”.
There will be a featured special rescued item of furniture each month and donations of household items are also welcomed at the reviive shop itself.
reviive, Unit 4, Knights Park, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury SY1 3AB (next to Screwfix) Click here for a map
www.reviive.co.uk
  
01/10/10 'We believe there is value in everything, especially people.' This is the motto of SSFS. Click on the link to see the whole article featured in Positive News Autumn 2010. http://www.positivenews.org.uk/artman/publish/article_2856.shtml
"Seeing is believeing" say Social Enterprise Ambassadors. (17/09/10)
Jean attended The Social Enterprise Ambassadors last night
called ‘Seeing is Believing’ approach to social enterprise at an event in central London to celebrate the completion of the three-year Programme. For more on the event: http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/news/news-details?nid=101 and for images from the event http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/gallery
Shropshire's first Social Enterprise Conference a huge success (20/07/10)
See more by clicking on the link
http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/news/news-details?nid=99
Christopher Breakwell wins 2010 Pride of Shropshire Award
A lifelong learning pioneer who has overcome redundancy and family heartache was crowned the 2010 Pride of Shropshire Champion.
Christopher Breakwell, who works at the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme in Ludlow took top prize in a glittering ceremony, held at Shrewsbury Town Football Club's stadium. Chris was one of nine category winners crowned at the event run by the Shropshire Star in conjunction with Shropshire Partnership, Muller Dairy, and a host of other local sponsors and was awarded overall Champion. He was nominated for the Learner Award which he wone, by Elaine Griffiths of the Home-Start service. She first met Christopher when she was running a training course for people looking to teach adults. Chris had been teaching for the Ludlow group for many years but legislation and funding rules meant he had to gain some form of qualification if he wanted to teach adults. Elaine said "With a degree of confidence issues, he completed the course including delivering two teaching sessions to the group, but struggled with the written work - not helped by the death of three close family members" Christ spent many sleepless nights trying to complete his course work on time, before the "huge achievement" of passing his exam in January. He now works at the Furniture Scheme as a specialist, delivering IT skills to learners with a range of difficulties. Jean Jarvis described him as a credit to the organisation.
. Christopher receiving one of his awards.
Ambassadors programme to end in September (17/06/10)
Gemma Hampson, Social Enterprise magazine
The £1m Social Enterprise Ambassadors programme will end this September after three years. There are currently 28 ambassadors in the Social Enterprise Coalition-run programme, including the Big Issue’s John Bird, HCT Group CEO Dai Powell and Divine MD Sophi Tranchell. Together, they aim to promote social enterprise to key audiences, such as the private sector, schools and policy makers.
http://bit.ly/9hJm8B
Social Enterprise Ambassadors News 10th June 2010 Click on the link below
http://socialenterpriseambassadors.org.uk/news
Click on the link bleow to see Jean Jarvis on You Tube talking about Marketing at SSFS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrFBiKpLjnI&feature=youtube_gdata
Cameron says social enterprise is key to Big Society reform 18/05/10
Gemma Hampson, Social Enterprise magazine
Social enterprise is at the heart of a ‘deep and serious’ reform of public services as part of the Big Society agenda, Prime Minister David Cameron said today. Following a meeting with ministers and community activists, Cameron said the new government would support social enterprises, mutuals, co-ops and charities to give them greater involvement in the running of public services. Funds from dormant bank accounts to establish a Big Society Bank have been confirmed, although there is still no mention of the amount of cash pledged. http://bit.ly/bFp4HK
13th May 2010
Rural community groups get help to reduce waste and recycle more
A new project in Shropshire, funded by Awards for All, is working to help rural communities take more action on waste and recycling. Shropshire Community Recycling Network wants to talk to groups that are already active in the community to help them involve recycling in the work they already undertake. They are offering grants, advice and other support.
The Network is made up of social enterprises, charities and community groups who work on recycling projects in Shropshire. Many of these groups provide an example of how waste issues can be linked to social issues. For example several groups across Shropshire work to help people on low incomes get hold of decent furniture at low cost. By accepting donations of furniture, they are able to reduce the amount of waste thrown away in the county while supporting individuals and families.
The network has appointed Ben Proctor as an outreach worker to provide support to local communities. He works with the Network's co-ordinator Rosemary Colllie.
Ben explained "Shropshire is really lucky to have so many people working to improve their local communities. There are many areas where community groups might be able to save money or improve their services by thinking about reducing waste or using recycled materials. Or it might be that with just a little help they could reduce the amount of waste they or their community sends to landfill. The recycling network is already there to support groups who are focused on recycling, my role is to help those who would like to take more action on waste issues".
To find out more visit www.scrl.org.uk call Ben on 07904 123498 or e-mail ben@benproctor.co.uk.
April 29th 2010
Grants for community recycling projects
Good news! Grants are now available for recycling projects across Shropshire. Following on from the success of the grants awarded in 2009-10 and with the continued support of Shropshire Council, Shropshire Community Recycling Network is now able to offer grants to even more organisations involved in recycling.
Successful projects have come in all shapes and sizes including a greenhouse built from plastic bottles; the Shrewsbury Green Guide to green businesses and websites; recycling waste products into new fashionable clothes and accessories; wormeries and composting projects; a one stop service for donating unwanted furniture for re-use, repair and recycling; a bicycle repair and recycling service.
Rosemary Collie, SCRL co-ordinator commented “the grant scheme has been an excellent way of encouraging more and more groups to get involved in recycling. I am looking forward to still more exciting new developments this year which will help Shropshire reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.”
Projects should be practical in their nature and result in a reduction of waste either by limiting its generation, reusing it or recycling it.
As well as the grant scheme, SCRL can also come and work with your organisation and community groups to help you get started with recycling.
If you have a project idea or would like some support please contact Rosemary Collie, SCRL Co-ordinator on 01584 877751 or rosemary@furniturescheme.co.uk
13th April 2010
Click above for article in Social Enterprise Ambassadors news "working with ex-offenders"
James Campbell one of our volunteers describes working at SSFS in an article in South Shropshire Housing Association's magazine The Key. April 2010
Ecominds Training Grant
8th March 2010
Buy a recycled bike for just £60 in Ludlow
Budding cyclists around Ludlow will find it much easier to get on a bike. South Shropshire Furniture Scheme has formed a partnership with Re-Bike from Ironbridge to ensure there is a steady supply of recycled bicycles in the town. The bikes are second hand but have been fully serviced and safety checked by Re-Bike before being offered for sale. Most adult bikes cost just £60.
Re-Bike is a Community Interest Company set up to get everyone in Shropshire cycling sometimes. They rely on Shropshire folk donating their unused bicycles. The best ones they refurbish and offer for sale. The others they strip for parts. As part of this new partnership South Shropshire residents will be able to donate their unwanted bicycles to South Shropshire Furniture Scheme. The Furniture Scheme will pass these on to Re-Bike.
The bicycles are available at South Shropshire Furniture Scheme's warehouse in Weeping Cross Lane. Initially there will be a small number of bicycles on show but if they are not suitable there are plenty more available.
Ben Proctor, who is one of Re-Bike's Directors said “We are really excited that Ludlow and South Shropshire people are going to have easy access to our bicycles. We are not sure what the demand will be for recycled bicycles in South Shropshire. Obviously we hope that at £60 for a serviced and safety-checked vehicle that plenty of people will want to buy a bike. If demand goes up then we will be able to supply more bicycles to the Furniture Scheme. But we will continue to rely on people donating their unwanted bikes. We accept any bicycle in any condition”
Jean Jarvis from the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme said “It's great that we will be able to offer bicycles at low cost to local people. Re-Bike is a social enterprise just like us working to make a real difference for Shropshire people. We are looking forward to being able to accept donations of bicycles because we know that they can be recycled right here in Shropshire.”
For more information about Re-Bike CIC visit www.re-bike.org.uk.
24th February 2010
Volunteers at the warehouse of the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme recently made an exciting discovery. Among a number of boxes of donated books was a quantity of old books in very poor condition. Damp and covered in mould, they seemed to have been stored in a basement or outbuilding. However, before consigning them to the skip, our book volunteer carefully examined them and found some to be of considerable rarity and interest.
She patiently dried them out and cleaned them up with proprietary book cleaning materials and they are currently on display at the Renaissance shop in Tower Street.
For a full list of the rare books click here.
FUNKY FURNITURE @ LUDLOW COLLEGE
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme is joining forces with Ludlow College Art & Design students to create funky furniture this Autumn.
The project idea came when Jean Jarvis, the Furniture Scheme’s CEO, spotted a funky chair in a designer furniture store in Ibiza, when she was holidaying with friends.
Jean says, “Actually one of my friends spotted the chair in the store and said the furniture scheme could do that. I thought yes, we could, and when I got back from holiday I got on to it!”
The Furniture Scheme will provide the furniture using pieces they can’t do anything with, which would have ended up in the wood skip, so a brilliant way of up-cycling - one step beyond re-cycling.
When finished these will be on display at the Ludlow College, and then a window at the Renaissance Centre in Tower Street, Ludlow and on the SSFS website where they will be for sale.
11th December 2009
South Shropshire Domestic Violence Network has joined forces with South Shropshire Furniture Scheme to provide emergency home startup kits for people who have to be rehoused in our area as a result of Domestic Violence/Abuse. We are able to provide funding to allow for basic furniture, cooker, toaster, kettle and microwave to be provided by SSFS where a referral is made as a result of Domestic Violence/Abuse. SSFS holds this money and will allocate the furniture and goods to each case on referral by agencies. They will keep records of the referral and allocation of furniture etc. and will update SSDVN each time they do so.
If your agency needs to make a referral to SSFS as a result of rehousing due to Domestic Violence/Abuse, please will you do so by telephone to SSFS: Serena Penn-Harvey on 01584 877751
She will deal with the case discreetly and SSFS will offer a ‘one stop shop’ for the family being rehoused.
11th November 2009
Local help to develop alternative sources of income for community groups and organisations.
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme has secured funding from the BIG Lottery to support the development of social enterprises across Shropshire. South Shropshire Furniture Scheme is a well established and successful social enterprise based in Ludlow. As a result of the funding from the BIG lottery SSFS will use their expertise and experience to offer help to other organisations. Whether a small community group, individual or well developed organisation SSFS will be able to offer high quality support to enable groups to become more financially independent and sustainable. Following a detailed initial assessment of the needs to be addressed participants will join a visit to the Furniture Scheme, guided and facilitated by the Social Enterprise Ambassador for the West Midlands Region, Jean Jarvis. This will be an excellent opportunity to find out more about the social enterprise approach; to explore how to develop a social enterprise; how to address local issues without depending on grants; and to stimulate, exchange and share ideas with other participants. The project will also offer specialist advice and training and signpost to relevant training courses, information and support, all tailored to the specific needs of the organisation.
For further information please contact James Cooper on 01584 877751 or by email james@furniturescheme.co.uk
6th November 2009
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme recognised for successful partnership with the private sector
Social Enterprise Ambassadors
A partnership between South Shropshire Furniture Scheme (SSFS), run by Jean Jarvis and Veolia Environmental Services, has been named as one of the top three recycling partnerships in the country.
The team was pipped at the post in the LARAC (Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committtee) awards 2009, but received a coveted runner up certificate for its strong partnership over the last year, which has seen more than 300 tonnes of material diverted from landfill. Successful partnerships between social enterprises and private businesses are becoming more commonplace. Several of the ambassadors’ enterprises are linked with traditional companies, with worthwhile and sustainable results all around.
http://tinyurl.com/yj5x48f
15th October 2009
Positive News
"Trading for People and Planet" is South Shropshire Furniture Scheme's motto and for this organisation it is certainly an ideal they live up to. The scheme is an inspiring social enterprise that takes what people would normally throw away, restore it and put it back into circulation. It initially began with just furniture but now they are branching out into computers, white goods and reselling unwanted books. At the core of all this activity South Shropshire Furniture scheme hold that it is the people who are involved that are the ones that really count. Click on this link to read more from "Positive News from around the world" 14th October 2009.
http://tinyurl.com/yjxoslb
7th October 09
Mezzanine Floor for South Shropshire Furniture Scheme Warehouse
SSFS have been granted £40,000 through the Community Grant enabling them to install a mezzanine floor and ramp to reach it, to improve efficiency in the warehouse for second hand furniture.
Jean Jarvis Chief Executive of SSFS said “We are absolutely delighted to receive this grant. We opened our warehouse in Ludlow in September last year, and needed a mezzanine floor across the remaining area of the warehouse, to enable larger and heavier items of stock to be stored on the upper level using fork lift trucks.
The purpose of the project is to improve access for low income families to the low cost furniture in the warehouse. The warehouse was becoming too crowded which meat that it was not always easy for our beneficiaries to view the furniture properly. It was also difficult for the staff and volunteers to work in the warehouse and develop their skills. We will also buy lifting and handling equipment which will help us to move furniture to and from the mezzanine floor and enable volunteers to gain new skills. We hope to have this completed early next year".
27th July 2009
Furniture scheme awarded top mark
The South Shropshire Furniture Scheme has been officially recognised for its benefits to society and to the environment.
The Ludlow-based charity, which collects and redistributes household items to need people, has received the Social Enterprise Mark. The mark is a label which tells customers that a product or service comes from a social enterprise and is creating a social or environmental benefit.
Chief executive of the furniture scheme Jean Jarvis said: “We are absolutely thrilled because we are the first one in the West Midlands to have a Social Enterprise Mark.” “It was an initiative that started in the south west but now they are reeling it out across the country. They are going to prelaunch it as a national mark.”
“Not only are we the first ones to get it but the have asked me if I can champion it in the West Midlands as well”
Jean Jarvis and son Andrew Jarvis-Nunn, celebrate the scheme’s Social Enterprise Mark award.
Press Release
Date:25th June 2009
Big Lottery Funds South Shropshire Furniture Scheme as Social Enterprise Showcase
...enabling them to share their expertise with local groups!
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme (SSFS) is to work with local charities and other Southern Shropshire organisations to help them move away from grant dependency and become more self-sufficient. The £441,639 Big Lottery funded project through the BASIS programme is called Sustaining Rural Communities and over the next three years groups will have the opportunity to visit this successful social enterprise in Ludlow to access training and advice from a team of social enterprise experts.
Jean Jarvis CEO of SSFS and West Midlands Social Enterprise Ambassador said today “I can’t tell you how thrilled we are to be awarded this grant and to start to help groups to look at ways to become more financially robust. We have developed into a social enterprise over more than a decade, starting first as a totally grant dependant charity in 1994 and then gradually diversifying to become almost completely self-sufficient. We have learned lessons along the way and we want to pass these on to others to allow them to accelerate the process - helping them to look at the way they operate through new eyes and ultimately become more independent. Our organisation was founded to help others, especially those who are disadvantaged, and over the years we have provided assistance and training to literally thousands of people. We are now going to be able to take this one step further by helping other organisations who work with disadvantaged people.”
The project will start in September. Until then for more information please contact Jean Jarvis on 01584 877751 or email jean@furniturescheme.co.uk
http://www.socialenterpriseambassadors.org/
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme Receives Lloyds TSB Funding!
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, based in Ludlow is celebrating having received a grant for £62,000 from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales. The funds will cover three years salary and management costs for their new Volunteer Co-ordinator, Serena Penn-Harvey.
“This is a very exciting opportunity to develop the service we provide for our volunteers - I am very much looking forward to the challenge of this new post” said Serena. “ We have a range of current volunteering opportunities such as reception/shop work in the Renaissance Centre and our Church Stretton shop, carpentry and computer recycling, collecting and delivering furniture throughout South Shropshire and helping in our warehouse in Ludlow. We are very flexible and will try to match peoples available time to the opportunities we have”
The Furniture Scheme was founded in 1994 and distributes donated household items to people on low incomes, last year it redistributed furniture to around 260 families and individual, provided training opportunities to 130 people and diverted over 250 tonnes of waste from landfill. The scheme was also involved in the flood recovery efforts. It's Chief Executive, Jean Jarvis, is the West Midlands Social Enterprise Ambassador.
Jean Jarvis Chief Executive of SSFS said, “We are absolutely thrilled with this grant, it is such good news for us in these difficult times and will make such a difference to our organisation and enable us to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for volunteers from all social backgrounds allowing them to develop at their own pace.
Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering or for further information can c ontact us at 7-8 Tower Street, Ludlow, telephone 01584 877751, or email serena@furniturescheme.co.uk
In November 08 we started opening the warehouse to the public every week on Wednesday and Friday from 10am - 4pm. We intend to increase the days we open over the next few months until we are open full time. New announcements will be on this website.
On 18th September 2008 South Shropshire Furniture Scheme officially opened it's new warehouse in Ludlow. The new warehouse will give people much greater access and choice of low cost household items. There is ample parking and the warehouse is accessible via public transport - it is a 15 minute walk from the railway station and the 702 bus passes the door.
Jean Jarvis CEO declares warehouse open.
Jenny Brown Ludlow College, Jean Jarvis CEO SSFS, Philip Dunne MP, Cllr Martin Taylor-Smith
From PSE local news
Government Tribute to South Shropshire Furniture Scheme's support for flood-hit communities Congratulations to South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, who were recognised at a Downing Street reception with Floods Recovery Minister John Healey. Twenty-nine charities and voluntary organisations who raised money and gave practical help attended the event, including our local social enterprise, which worked with the Local Authority to help families who had been flooded.
Flood Recovery Minister John Healey said: “I have made many visits to areas that were devastated by last summer's floods as Flood Recovery Minister. I am always struck by the way in which communities have come together to help and support each other. That's why I asked local authorities and others to nominate representatives of local charities and voluntary groups they felt had gone above and beyond the call of duty to help local people at that extremely difficult time.
“I have been really impressed by the efforts these organisations have made, on many occasions staffed by people who themselves had seen their own homes damaged by the floods. These charities, and the people who run them, are a great credit to this country and our communities. They deserve our thanks and recognition for their efforts.”
Jean Jarvis, Chief Executive of the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme said: “The South Shropshire Furniture Scheme was in a unique position to give assistance immediately after the first overnight flooding. We were involved from day one and the local authority commissioned our services to give information, advice and guidance to those affected. We were able to help by loaning and indeed giving household items and support to people – some of whom had lost all their possessions and were in a state of shock. We are still assisting people now who have not yet been able to return to their homes.
John Healy Flood Recovery Minister presents the certificate
to Pat Allen & Jean Jarvis
7 April 2008
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme takes on bulky waste
From Monday 14 th April, the bulky waste collection service in South Shropshire will be operated by South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, a charity and social enterprise.
Donald Macphail, managing director of Veolia ES Shropshire Ltd said: “Veolia currently operates the bulky waste collection service in South Shropshire on behalf of the Shropshire Waste Partnership. We have subcontracted this service to the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme and they will be collecting with the aim of re-using any suitable materials, reducing the waste that currently goes to landfill.”
Jean Jarvis Chief Executive of SSFS and director of the Shropshire Community Recycling Network (SCRN) said “This is a really exciting development. The contract will give us wider access to the household items that people throw away, giving us a larger supply of re-useable items to redistribute to people on low incomes. We have had huge support from the Shropshire Waste Partnership and Veolia have great confidence in our ability to deliver this contract. We are joining a very elite UK group of community enterprises delivering this kind of service – which is great news for Shropshire .”
Joy Blizzard, waste initiatives officer for the Shropshire Waste Partnership said: “Often furniture and other items of bulky waste put out for collection could be reused but people don't have the means of disposing of it other than by using the council collection service. The South Shropshire Furniture Scheme will be sorting out items that can be reused and taking them out of the waste stream. Reusing something is even better for the environment than recycling materials which need reprocessing. So, if it has life left in it, make sure it's reused!”
Residents of South Shropshire who have bulky waste material that they believe is suitable for recycling should call the Customer Service Centre on 0845 678 9009. A representative of the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme will then contact them to arrange a collection date.
Items including business waste, building waste, hazardous waste and general household refuse cannot be collected using this service.
ENDS
Veolia Environmental Services is the UK 's leading waste management company employing circa 13,000 people nationwide and serving over 13 million residents. Globally, the company employs 80,700 people and serves more than 45 million inhabitants across 35 countries. Veolia Environmental Services is the only worldwide provider of a full range of services for handling solid and liquid waste. It provides waste management and logistics services , as well as materials recovery and recycling. Veolia Environmental Services generated revenue of €9.2 billion in 2007. The company is part of Veolia Environnement, the world leader in environmental services. With more than 300,000 employees, Veolia Environnement is a global operator providing tailored solutions to meet the needs of municipal and industrial customers in four complementary sectors: energy management, freight and passenger transportation water and waste. Veolia Environnement recorded revenues of €32.6 billion in 2007.
Further information can be obtained by visiting the websites:
www.veolia.co.uk and www.veoliaenvironnement.com  25/09/07 Renaissance Centre Tearoom gets Revamp
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme (SSFS) has received a £5,000 grant from Big Lottery's Awards For All.
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